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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ADOPTED
April 27, 2017
H. 3349
S. Printed 4/27/17--S.
Read the first time February 22, 2017.
TO AMEND ARTICLE 15, CHAPTER 33, TITLE 40, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE NURSE LICENSURE COMPACT, SO AS TO REVISE THE PROVISIONS OF THE COMPACT TO REFLECT CHANGES MANDATED FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE COMPACT.
Amend Title To Conform
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Article 15, Chapter 33, Title 40 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
Section 40-33-1305. (A) The Nurse Licensure Compact is created and entered into by this State with all other states legally joining in the form substantially as set forth in this article.
(B) The purposes of this compact are to:
(1) facilitate the states' responsibility to protect the public's health and safety;
(2) ensure and encourage the cooperation of party states in the areas of nurse licensure and regulation;
(3) facilitate the exchange of information between party states in the areas of nurse regulation, investigation, and adverse actions;
(4) promote compliance with the laws governing the practice of nursing in each jurisdiction;
(5) through the mutual recognition of party state licenses, grant all party states the authority to hold nurses accountable for meeting all state practice laws in the states in which their patients are located at the time care is rendered.
(C) All costs associated with the financial support of the compact operation must be borne by the hiring agencies or agents.
Section 40-33-1310. As used in this article:
(1) 'Adverse action' means a home or remote state action.
(2) 'Alternative program' means a voluntary, nondisciplinary monitoring program approved by a nurse licensing board.
(3) 'Coordinated licensure information system' means an integrated process for collecting, storing, and sharing information on nurse licensure and enforcement activities related to nurse licensure laws that is administered by a nonprofit organization composed of and controlled by state nurse licensing boards.
(4) 'Current significant investigative information' means:
(a) investigative information that a licensing board, after a preliminary inquiry, which includes notification and an opportunity for the nurse to respond, has reason to believe is not groundless and, if proved true, would indicate more than a minor infraction; or
(b) investigative information that indicates that the nurse represents an immediate threat to public health and safety regardless of whether the nurse has been notified and had an opportunity to respond.
(5) 'Home state' means the party state that is the nurse's primary state of residence.
(6) 'Home state action' means an administrative, civil, equitable, or criminal action permitted by the home state's laws that is imposed on a nurse by the home state's licensing board or another authority. This term includes the revocation or suspension of a nurse's license, placing a nurse on probation, or any other action that affects a nurse's authorization to practice.
(7) 'Licensee' means a person licensed by the South Carolina Board of Nursing or the nurse licensing board of a party state.
(8) 'Licensing board' means a party state's regulatory agency that is responsible for licensing nurses.
(9) 'Multi-State licensure privilege' means current official authority from a remote state permitting the practice of nursing as either a registered nurse or a licensed practical or vocational nurse in that state. All party states have the authority, in accordance with existing state law, to take actions against a nurse's privilege including, but not limited to, revocation, suspension, probation, or any other action which affects a nurse's authorization to practice.
(10) "Nurse" means a registered nurse or licensed practical or vocational nurse as those terms are defined by each party state's practice laws.
(11) 'Party state' means any state that has adopted this compact.
(12) 'Remote state' means a party state, other than the home state, where the patient is located at the time nursing care is provided. In the case of the practice of nursing not involving a patient, the" term" means the party state where the recipient of nursing practice is located.
(13) 'Remote state action' means:
(a) an administrative, civil, equitable, or criminal action permitted by the laws of a remote state that are imposed on a nurse by the remote state's nurse licensing board or other authority, including actions against a nurse's multi-state licensure privilege to practice in the remote state;
(b) cease and desist and other injunctive or equitable orders issued by a remote state or its nurse licensing board.
(14) 'State' means a state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(15) 'State practice laws' means the laws and regulations of individual party states that govern the practice of nursing, define the scope of nursing practice, and create the methods and grounds for disciplining nurses. This term does not include the initial qualifications for licensure or the requirements necessary to obtain and retain a license, except for qualifications or requirements of the home state.
Section 40-33-1315. (A) A license to practice registered nursing that is issued by a home state to a resident in that state must be recognized by each party state as authorizing a multi-state licensure privilege to practice as a registered nurse in each party state. A license to practice practical or vocational nursing that is issued by a home state to a resident in that state must be recognized by each party state as authorizing a multi-state licensure privilege to practice as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in each party state. In order to obtain or retain a license, an applicant must meet the home state's qualifications for licensure and license renewal and all other applicable state laws.
(B) A party state may, in accordance with that state's due process laws, revoke, suspend, or limit the multi-state licensure privilege of any licensee to practice in its state and may take any other actions under its applicable state laws that are necessary to protect the health and safety of its citizens. If a party state takes an action authorized in this subsection, it shall promptly notify the administrator of the coordinated licensure information system. The administrator shall promptly notify the home state of any actions taken by remote states.
(C) A licensee practicing in a party state shall comply with the state practice laws of the state in which the patient is located at the time care is rendered. The practice of nursing is not limited to patient care and includes all nursing practice as defined by the state practice laws of a party state. The practice of nursing in a party state shall subject a nurse to the jurisdiction of the nurse licensing board and the laws and the courts in that party state.
(D)(1) A registered nurse who has been granted multi-state licensing privileges by a party state may practice registered nursing in this State.
(2) A licensed practical nurse who has been granted multi-state licensing privileges by a party state may practice practical nursing in this State.
(3) A nurse who has been granted multi-state licensing privileges as provided for in subsection (D)(1) or (2) shall notify the board, on a standard form provided by the board, before commencing any nursing practice in this State, of the identity and location of the nurse's prospective practice location, the nurse's current address, and other contact information as requested. A nurse shall maintain at all times a current address and contact information during practice in this State.
(E) The compact does not effect additional requirements imposed by states for advanced-practice registered nursing. A multi-state licensure privilege to practice registered nursing granted by a party state must be recognized by other party states as a license to practice registered nursing if a license to practice registered nursing is required by state law as a precondition for qualifying for advanced-practice registered nurse authorization.
(F) A person who does not reside in a party state may continue to apply for nurse licensure in party states as provided for under the laws of each party state. If a license is granted to the person, the license does not grant the privilege to practice nursing in any other party state unless explicitly agreed to by that party state.
Section 40-33-1320. (A) Upon receiving an application for a license, the licensing board in a party state shall ascertain through the coordinated licensure information system whether the applicant holds or has ever held a license issued by any other state, whether there are any restrictions on the applicant's multi-state licensure privilege, and whether any other adverse action by any state has been taken against the applicant's license.
(B) A licensee in a party state shall hold licensure in only one party state at a time. The license must be issued by the home state.
(C) A licensee who intends to change his or her primary state of residence may apply for licensure in the new home state in advance of the change. However, a new license must not be issued by a party state until after the licensee provides evidence of a change in his or her primary state of residence that is satisfactory to the new home state's licensing board.
(D) When a licensee changes his or her primary state of residence by moving between two party states and obtaining a license from the new home state, the license from the former home state is no longer valid.
(E) When a licensee changes his or her primary state of residence by moving from a nonparty state to a party state and obtains a license from the new home state, the license issued by the nonparty state is not affected and shall remain in full force if authorized under the laws of the nonparty state.
(F) When a licensee changes his or her primary state of residence by moving from a party state to a nonparty state, the license issued by the former home state converts to an individual state license that is valid only in the former home state. The license does not grant the multi-state licensure privilege to practice in other party states.
Section 40-33-1325. (A) The licensing board of a remote state shall promptly report to the administrator of the coordinated licensure information system any remote state actions, including the factual and legal basis for the actions, if known. The licensing board of a remote state shall also promptly report any current significant investigative information yet to result in a remote state action. The administrator of the coordinated licensure information system shall promptly notify the home state of these reports.
(B) The licensing board of a party state may complete any pending investigation of a licensee who changes his or her primary state of residence during the course of the investigation. The licensing board of that state also may take appropriate action against a licensee and shall promptly report the conclusion of the investigation to the administrator of the coordinated licensure information system. The administrator of the coordinated licensure information system shall promptly notify the new home state of any action taken against a licensee.
(C) A remote party state may take adverse action that affects the multi-state licensure privilege to practice within that party state. However, only the home state may take adverse action that affects a license that was issued by the home state.
(D) For the purposes of imposing an adverse action, the licensing board of the home state shall give the same priority and effect to the reported conduct received from a remote party state as it would if the conduct had occurred in the home state. In so doing, the licensing board of the home state shall apply its own state laws to determine appropriate action to be taken against the licensee.
(E) The home state may take adverse action based upon the factual findings of the remote party state if each state follows its own procedures for imposing the adverse action.
(F) This compact does not prohibit a party state from allowing a licensee to participate in an alternative program instead of taking adverse action against the licensee. If required by the party state's laws, the licensee's participation in an alternative program is confidential information. A party state shall require a licensee who enters an alternative program to agree not to practice in any other party state during the term of the alternative program without prior authorization from the other party state.
Section 40-33-1330. (A) If a licensing board finds current significant investigative information, the licensing board, after giving the licensee notice and an opportunity to respond, shall conduct a hearing and decide what adverse action, if any, to take against the licensee.
(B) If a licensing board finds current significant investigative information, the licensing board may take adverse action against the licensee without first providing the licensee notice or an opportunity to respond to the information. A hearing must be promptly commenced and determined.
Section 40-33-1335. A party state nurse licensing board may:
(1) if otherwise permitted by state law, recover from licensees the costs of investigating and disposing of cases that result in adverse action;
(2) issue subpoenas for both hearings and investigations that require the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of evidence. Subpoenas issued by a nurse licensing board in a party state for the attendance and testimony of witnesses or the production of evidence from another party state must be enforced in the other party state by any court of competent jurisdiction according to the practice and procedure of that court. The issuing authority shall pay any witness fees, travel expenses, mileage, and other fees required by the laws of the party state where the witnesses or evidence are located;
(3) issue cease and desist orders to limit or revoke a licensee's authority to practice in the board's state;
(4) promulgate uniform regulations that are developed by the compact administrators.
Section 40-33-1340. (A) A party state shall participate in a cooperative effort to create a coordinated data base of all licensed registered nurses and licensed practical or vocational nurses. This system must include information on the licensure and disciplinary history of each licensee, as contributed by party states, to assist in the coordination of nurse licensure and enforcement efforts.
(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a party state's licensing board shall promptly report to the coordinated licensure information system any adverse action taken against a licensee, action against multi-state licensure privileges, any current significant investigative information yet to result in adverse action, and any denials of applications for licensure and the reasons for the denials.
(C) Current significant investigative information must be transmitted through the coordinated licensure information system only to party state licensing boards.
(D) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a party state's licensing board, which contributes information to the coordinated licensure information system, may designate information that must not be shared with nonparty states or disclosed to other entities or individuals without the express permission of the contributing party state.
(E) Any personally identifiable information obtained by a party state licensing board from the coordinated licensure information system must not be shared with nonparty states or disclosed to other entities or individuals except to the extent permitted by the laws of the party state contributing the information.
(F) Any information contributed to the coordinated licensure information system that is subsequently required to be expunged by the laws of the party state contributing the information must be expunged from the coordinated licensure information system.
(G) The compact administrators, acting jointly and in consultation with the administrator of the coordinated licensure information system, shall formulate necessary and proper procedures for the identification, collection, and exchange of information under this compact.
Section 40-33-1345. (A) The administrator or head of the nurse licensing board of each party state or that person's designee must be the administrator of this compact for that state.
(B) To facilitate the administration of this compact, the compact administrator of each party state shall furnish to the compact administrators of all other party states information and documents concerning each licensee, including a uniform data set of investigations, identifying information, licensure data, and disclosable alternative program participation.
(C) Compact administrators shall develop uniform rules and regulations to facilitate and coordinate implementation of this compact. These uniform rules and regulations must be adopted by party states as authorized in this article.
Section 40-33-1350. A party state or the officers, employees, or agents of a party state's nurse licensing board who act in accordance with this compact are not liable for any good faith act or omission committed while engaged in the performance of their duties under this compact. 'Good faith' as used in this section does not include wilful misconduct, gross negligence, or recklessness.
Section 40-33-1355. (A) This compact becomes effective as to a state when the compact has been enacted into the laws of that state. A party state may withdraw from this compact by enacting a statute repealing the compact, but the withdrawal does not take effect until six months after the withdrawing state has given notice of the withdrawal to the compact administrators of all other party states.
(B) No withdrawal affects the validity or applicability of any report of adverse action taken by the licensing board of a state that remains a party to the compact if the adverse action occurred before the withdrawal.
(C) This compact does not invalidate or prevent a nurse licensure agreement or other cooperative arrangement between a party state and a nonparty state that is made in accordance with this compact.
(D) This compact may be amended by the party states; however, an amendment to this compact does not become effective and binding upon the party states unless and until it is enacted into the laws of all party states.
Section 40-33-1360. If there is a dispute that cannot be resolved by the party states involved, the following procedure must be used:
(1) The party states may submit the issues in dispute to an arbitration panel that consists of an individual appointed by the compact administrator in the home state, an individual appointed by the compact administrator in the remote states involved, and an individual appointed by the compact administrators of all the party states involved in the dispute.
(2) The decision of a majority of the arbitrators is final and binding.
Section 40-33-1365. (A) This compact must be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes as stated in Section 40-43-1305(B).
(B) The provisions of this compact are severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of this compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any party state or of the United States, or if the applicability of any of them to any government, agency, person, or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this compact and the applicability of it to any government, agency, person, or circumstance is not affected. If this compact is held contrary to the constitution of any party state, the compact remains in full force and effect as to the remaining party states and in full force and effect as to the party state affected as to all severable matters.
Section 40-33-1300. The Nurse Licensure Compact is hereby enacted into law and entered into by this State with all other states legally joining therein, in the form substantially as set forth in this article.
Section 40-33-1305. (A) The party states find that:
(1) the health and safety of the public are affected by the degree of compliance with and the effectiveness of enforcement activities related to state nurse licensure laws;
(2) violations of nurse licensure and other laws regulating the practice of nursing may result in injury or harm to the public;
(3) the expanded mobility of nurses and the use of advanced communication technologies as part of our nation's health care delivery system require greater coordination and cooperation among states in the areas of nurse licensure and regulation;
(4) new practice modalities and technology make compliance with individual state nurse licensure laws difficult and complex;
(5) the current system of duplicative licensure for nurses practicing in multiple states is cumbersome and redundant for both nurses and states; and
(6) uniformity of nurse licensure requirements throughout the states promotes public safety and public health benefits.
(B) The general purposes of this compact are to:
(1) facilitate the states' responsibility to protect the public's health and safety;
(2) ensure and encourage the cooperation of party states in the areas of nurse licensure and regulation;
(3) facilitate the exchange of information between party states in the areas of nurse regulation, investigation, and adverse actions;
(4) promote compliance with the laws governing the practice of nursing in each jurisdiction;
(5) invest all party states with the authority to hold a nurse accountable for meeting all state practice laws in the state in which the patient is located at the time care is rendered through the mutual recognition of party state licenses;
(6) decrease redundancies in the consideration and issuance of nurse licenses; and
(7) provide opportunities for interstate practice by nurses who meet uniform licensure requirements.
Section 40-33-1310. As used in this article:
(1) 'Adverse action' means any administrative, civil, equitable, or criminal action permitted by a state's laws which is imposed by a licensing board or other authority against a nurse, including actions against an individual's license or multistate licensure privilege such as revocation, suspension, probation, monitoring of the licensee, limitation on the licensee's practice, or any other encumbrance on licensure affecting a nurse's authorization to practice, including issuance of a cease and desist action.
(2) 'Alternative program' means a nondisciplinary monitoring program approved by a licensing board.
(3) 'Commission' means the Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators.
(4) 'Coordinated licensure information system' means an integrated process for collecting, storing, and sharing information on nurse licensure and enforcement activities related to nurse licensure laws that is administered by a nonprofit organization composed of and controlled by licensing boards.
(5) 'Current significant investigative information' means:
(a) investigative information that a licensing board, after a preliminary inquiry that includes notification and an opportunity for the nurse to respond, if required by state law, has reason to believe is not groundless and, if proved true, would indicate more than a minor infraction; or
(b) investigative information that indicates that the nurse represents an immediate threat to public health and safety regardless of whether the nurse has been notified and had an opportunity to respond.
(6) 'Encumbrance' means a revocation or suspension of, or any limitation on, the full and unrestricted practice of nursing imposed by a licensing board.
(7) 'Home state' means the party state which is the nurse's primary state of residence.
(8) 'Licensing board' means a party state's regulatory body responsible for issuing nurse licenses.
(9) 'Multistate license' means a license to practice as a registered or a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/VN) issued by a home state licensing board that authorizes the licensed nurse to practice in all party states under a multistate licensure privilege.
(10) 'Multistate licensure privilege' means a legal authorization associated with a multistate license permitting the practice of nursing as either a registered nurse (RN) or LPN/VN in a remote state.
(11) 'Nurse' means RN or LPN/VN, as those terms are defined by each party state's practice laws.
(12) 'Party state' means any state that has adopted this compact.
(13) 'Remote state' means a party state, other than the home state.
(14) 'Single-state license' means a nurse license issued by a party state that authorizes practice only within the issuing state and does not include a multistate licensure privilege to practice in any other party state.
(15) 'State' means a state, territory, or possession of the United States and the District of Columbia.
(16) 'State practice laws' means a party state's laws, rules, and regulations that govern the practice of nursing, define the scope of nursing practice, and create the methods and grounds for imposing discipline. 'State practice laws' do not include requirements necessary to obtain and retain a license, except for qualifications or requirements of the home state.
Section 40-33-1315. (A) A multistate license to practice registered or licensed practical/vocational nursing issued by a home state to a resident in that state will be recognized by each party state as authorizing a nurse to practice as a registered nurse (RN) or as a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/VN), under a multistate licensure privilege, in each party state.
(B) A state must implement procedures for considering the criminal history records of applicants for initial multistate license or licensure by endorsement. These procedures must include the submission of fingerprints or other biometric-based information by applicants for the purpose of obtaining an applicant's criminal history record information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency responsible for retaining that state's criminal records.
(C) Each party state shall require the following for an applicant to obtain or retain a multistate license in the home state:
(1) meets the home state's qualifications for licensure or renewal of licensure, as well as all other applicable state laws;
(2) has graduated:
(a) or is eligible to graduate from a licensing board-approved RN or LPN/VN prelicensure education program; or
(b) from a foreign RN or LPN/VN prelicensure education program that has been:
(i) approved by the authorized accrediting body in the applicable country; and
(ii) verified by an independent credentials review agency to be comparable to a licensing board-approved prelicensure education program;
(3) has, if a graduate of a foreign prelicensure education program not taught in English or if English is not the individual's native language, successfully passed an English proficiency examination that includes the components of reading, speaking, writing and listening;
(4) has successfully passed an NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN examination or recognized predecessor, as applicable;
(5) is eligible for or holds an active, unencumbered license;
(6) has submitted, in connection with an application for initial licensure or licensure by endorsement, fingerprints or other biometric data for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency responsible for retaining that state's criminal records;
(7) has not been convicted or found guilty, or has entered into an agreed disposition, of a felony offense under applicable state or federal criminal law;
(8) has not been convicted or found guilty, or has entered into an agreed disposition, of a misdemeanor offense related to the practice of nursing as determined on a case-by-case basis;
(9) is not currently enrolled in an alternative program;
(10) is subject to self-disclosure requirements regarding current participation in an alternative program; and
(11) has a valid United States Social Security number.
(D) All party states must be authorized, in accordance with existing state due process law, to take adverse action against a nurse's multistate licensure privilege such as revocation, suspension, probation, or any other action that affects a nurse's authorization to practice under a multistate licensure privilege, including cease and desist actions. If a party state takes such action, it shall promptly notify the administrator of the coordinated licensure information system. The administrator of the coordinated licensure information system must promptly notify the home state of any such actions by remote states.
(E) A nurse practicing in a party state must comply with the state practice laws of the state in which the client is located at the time service is provided. The practice of nursing is not limited to patient care, but must include all nursing practice as defined by the state practice laws of the party state in which the client is located. The practice of nursing in a party state under a multistate licensure privilege will subject a nurse to the jurisdiction of the licensing board, the courts and the laws of the party state in which the client is located at the time service is provided.
(F) Individuals not residing in a party state shall continue to be able to apply for a party state's single-state license as provided under the laws of each party state. However, the single-state license granted to these individuals will not be recognized as granting the privilege to practice nursing in any other party state. Nothing in this compact may affect the requirements established by a party state for the issuance of a single-state license.
(G) A nurse holding a home state multistate license, on the effective date of this compact, may retain and renew the multistate license issued by his then-current home state, provided that a nurse who:
(1) changes primary state of residence after this compact's effective date, must meet all applicable requirements of subsection (C) to obtain a multistate license from a new home state; and
(2) fails to satisfy the multistate licensure requirements in subsection (C) due to a disqualifying event occurring after this compact's effective date must be ineligible to retain or renew a multistate license, and the nurse's multistate license must be revoked or deactivated in accordance with applicable rules adopted by the Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators.
Section 40-33-1320. (A) Upon application for a multistate license, the licensing board in the issuing party state shall ascertain, through the coordinated licensure information system, whether:
(1) the applicant has ever held, or is the holder of, a license issued by another state;
(2) there is an encumbrance on a license or multistate licensure privilege held by the applicant;
(3) an adverse action has been taken against a license or multistate licensure privilege held by the applicant; and
(4) the applicant is currently participating in an alternative program.
(B) A nurse may hold a multistate license, issued by the home state, in only one party state at a time.
(C) If a nurse changes primary state of residence by moving between two party states, the nurse must apply for licensure in the new home state, and the multistate license issued by the prior home state will be deactivated in accordance with applicable rules adopted by the commission, provided:
(1) the nurse may apply for licensure in advance of a change in primary state of residence; and
(2) the new home state may not issue a multistate license until the nurse provides satisfactory evidence of a change in primary state of residence to the new home state and satisfies all applicable requirements to obtain a multistate license from the new home state.
(D) If a nurse changes primary state of residence by moving from a party state to a nonparty state, the multistate license issued by the prior home state will convert to a single-state license, valid only in the former home state.
Section 40-33-1325. (A) In addition to the other powers conferred by state law, a licensing board has the authority to:
(1) Take adverse action against a nurse's multistate licensure privilege to practice within that party state, provided:
(a) only the home state has the power to take adverse action against a nurse's license issued by the home state; and
(b) for purposes of taking adverse action, the home state licensing board shall give the same priority and effect to reported conduct received from a remote state as it would if such conduct had occurred within the home state, and in so doing, the home state shall apply its own state laws to determine appropriate action.
(2) Issue cease and desist orders or impose an encumbrance on a nurse's authority to practice within that party state.
(3) Complete any pending investigations of a nurse who changes primary state of residence during the course of such investigations. The licensing board also has the authority to take appropriate action and shall promptly report the conclusions of such investigations to the administrator of the coordinated licensure information system. The administrator of the coordinated licensure information system shall promptly notify the new home state of any such actions.
(4) Issue subpoenas for both hearings and investigations that require the attendance and testimony of witnesses, as well as the production of evidence. Subpoenas issued by a licensing board in a party state for the attendance and testimony of witnesses or the production of evidence from another party state must be enforced in the latter state by any court of competent jurisdiction, according to the practice and procedure of that court applicable to subpoenas issued in proceedings pending before it. The issuing authority shall pay any witness fees, travel expenses, mileage, and other fees required by the service statutes of the state in which the witnesses or evidence are located.
(5) Obtain and submit, for each nurse licensure applicant, fingerprint or other biometric-based information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for criminal background checks, receive the results of the Federal Bureau of Investigation record search on criminal background checks, and use the results in making licensure decisions.
(6) If otherwise permitted by state law, recover from the affected nurse the costs of investigations and disposition of cases resulting from any adverse action taken against that nurse.
(7) Take adverse action based on the factual findings of the remote state, provided that the licensing board follows its own procedures for taking such adverse action.
(B) If adverse action is taken by the home state against a nurse's multistate license, the nurse's multistate licensure privilege to practice in all other party states must be deactivated until all encumbrances have been removed from the multistate license. All home state disciplinary orders that impose adverse action against a nurse's multistate license must include a statement that the nurse's multistate licensure privilege is deactivated in all party states during the pendency of the order.
(C) Nothing in this compact may override a party state's decision that participation in an alternative program may be used in lieu of adverse action. The home state licensing board shall deactivate the multistate licensure privilege under the multistate license of any nurse for the duration of the nurse's participation in an alternative program.
Section 40-33-1330. Reserved.
Section 40-33-1335. Reserved.
Section 40-33-1340. (A) All party states shall participate in a coordinated licensure information system of all licensed registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPNs/VNs). This system will include information on the licensure and disciplinary history of each nurse, as submitted by party states, to assist in the coordination of nurse licensure and enforcement efforts.
(B) The commission, in consultation with the administrator of the coordinated licensure information system, shall formulate necessary and proper procedures for the identification, collection, and exchange of information under this compact.
(C) All licensing boards shall promptly report to the coordinated licensure information system any adverse action, any current significant investigative information, denials of applications, with the reasons for such denials, and nurse participation in alternative programs known to the licensing board regardless of whether such participation is considered nonpublic or confidential under state law.
(D) Current significant investigative information and participation in nonpublic or confidential alternative programs must be transmitted through the coordinated licensure information system only to party state licensing boards.
(E) Notwithstanding another provision of law, all party state licensing boards contributing information to the coordinated licensure information system may designate information that may not be shared with nonparty states or disclosed to other entities or individuals without the express permission of the contributing state.
(F) Any personally identifiable information obtained from the coordinated licensure information system by a party state licensing board may not be shared with nonparty states or disclosed to other entities or individuals except to the extent permitted by the laws of the party state contributing the information.
(G) Any information contributed to the coordinated licensure information system that is subsequently required to be expunged by the laws of the party state contributing that information must be expunged from the coordinated licensure information system.
(H) The compact administrator of each party state shall furnish a uniform data set to the compact administrator of each other party state, which must include, at a minimum:
(1) identifying information;
(2) licensure data;
(3) information related to alternative program participation; and
(4) other information that may facilitate the administration of this compact, as determined by commission rules.
(I) The compact administrator of a party state shall provide all investigative documents and information requested by another party state.
Section 40-33-1345. (A) The party states hereby create and establish a joint public entity known as the Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators.
(1) The commission is an instrumentality of the party states.
(2) Venue is proper, and judicial proceedings by or against the commission must be brought, solely and exclusively, in a court of competent jurisdiction where the principal office of the commission is located. The commission may waive venue and jurisdictional defenses to the extent it adopts or consents to participate in alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
(3) Nothing in this compact may be construed to be a waiver of sovereign immunity.
(B) Membership, voting, and meetings.
(1) A party state must have and be limited to one administrator. The administrator of the nurse licensing board or his designee must be the administrator of this compact for each party state. An administrator may be removed or suspended from office as provided by the law of the state from which he is appointed. A vacancy occurring in the commission must be filled in accordance with the laws of the party state in which the vacancy exists.
(2) An administrator is entitled to one vote with regard to the promulgation of rules and creation of bylaws and shall otherwise have an opportunity to participate in the business and affairs of the commission. An administrator shall vote in person or by other means as provided in the bylaws. The bylaws may provide for an administrator's participation in meetings by telephone or other means of communication.
(3) The commission shall meet at least once during each calendar year. Additional meetings must be held as provided in the bylaws or rules of the commission.
(4) A meeting must be open to the public, and public notice of meetings must be given in the same manner as required under the rulemaking provisions in Section 40-33-1350.
(5) The commission may convene in a closed, nonpublic meeting if the commission must discuss:
(a) noncompliance of a party state with its obligations under this compact;
(b) the employment, compensation, discipline, or other personnel matters, practices, or procedures related to specific employees, or other matters related to the commission's internal personnel practices and procedures;
(c) current, threatened, or reasonably anticipated litigation;
(d) negotiation of contracts for the purchase or sale of goods, services, or real estate;
(e) accusing a person of a crime or formally censuring a person;
(f) disclosure of trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential;
(g) disclosure of information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;
(h) disclosure of investigatory records compiled for law enforcement purposes;
(i) disclosure of information related to any reports prepared by or on behalf of the commission for the purpose of investigation of compliance with this compact; or
(j) matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal or state statute.
(6) If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed pursuant to this provision, the commission's legal counsel or designee shall certify that the meeting may be closed and shall reference each relevant exempting provision. The commission shall keep minutes that fully and clearly describe all matters discussed in a meeting and provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and the reasons for taking the actions, including a description of the views expressed. All documents considered in connection with an action must be identified in these minutes. All minutes and documents of a closed meeting must remain under seal, subject to release by a majority vote of the commission or order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(C) The commission shall, by a majority vote of the administrators, prescribe bylaws or rules to govern its conduct as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes and exercise the powers of this compact including, but not limited to:
(1) establishing the fiscal year of the commission;
(2) providing reasonable standards and procedures:
(a) for the establishment and meetings of other committees; and
(b) governing any general or specific delegation of any authority or function of the commission;
(3) establishing the titles, duties, and authority and reasonable procedures for the election of the officers of the commission;
(4) providing reasonable standards and procedures for the establishment of the personnel policies and programs of the commission; provided that notwithstanding any civil service or other similar laws of any party state, the bylaws shall exclusively govern the personnel policies and programs of the commission;
(5) providing a mechanism for winding up the operations of the commission and the equitable disposition of any surplus funds that may exist after the termination of this compact after the payment or reserving of all of its debts and obligations; and
(6) providing reasonable procedures for calling and conducting meetings of the commission, ensuring reasonable advance notice of all meetings and providing an opportunity for attendance of such meetings by interested parties, with enumerated exceptions designed to protect the public's interest, the privacy of individuals, and proprietary information, including trade secrets. The commission may meet in closed session only after a majority of the administrators vote to close a meeting in whole or in part. As soon as practicable, the commission must make public a copy of the vote to close the meeting revealing the vote of each administrator, with no proxy votes allowed.
(D) The commission shall publish its bylaws and rules, and any amendments to them, in a convenient form on the website of the commission.
(E) The commission shall maintain its financial records in accordance with the bylaws.
(F) The commission shall meet and take actions consistent with the provisions of this compact and the bylaws.
(G) The commission has power to:
(1) promulgate uniform rules to facilitate and coordinate implementation and administration of this compact, and these rules have the force and effect of law and are binding in all party states;
(2) bring and prosecute legal proceedings or actions in the name of the commission, provided that the standing of a licensing board to sue or be sued under applicable law may not be affected;
(3) purchase and maintain insurance and bonds;
(4) borrow, accept or contract for services of personnel including, but not limited to, employees of a party state or nonprofit organizations;
(5) cooperate with other organizations that administer state compacts related to the regulation of nursing including, but not limited to, sharing administrative or staff expenses, office space, or other resources;
(6) hire employees, elect or appoint officers, fix compensation, define duties, grant such individuals appropriate authority to carry out the purposes of this compact, and establish the commission's personnel policies and programs relating to conflicts of interest, qualifications of personnel, and other related personnel matters;
(7) accept appropriate donations, grants, and gifts of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services, and to receive, use, and dispose of the same; provided that the commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest;
(8) lease, purchase, accept appropriate gifts or donations of, or otherwise to own, hold, improve, or use, any property, whether real, personal, or mixed; provided that commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety;
(9) sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or otherwise dispose of any property, whether real, personal, or mixed;
(10) establish a budget and make expenditures;
(11) borrow money;
(12) appoint committees, including advisory committees comprised of administrators, state nursing regulators, state legislators or their representatives, and consumer representatives, and other such interested persons;
(13) provide and receive information from, and to cooperate with, law enforcement agencies;
(14) adopt and use an official seal; and
(15) perform such other functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this compact consistent with the state regulation of nurse licensure and practice.
(H) Financing of the commission.
(1) The commission shall pay, or provide for the payment of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities.
(2) The commission also may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each party state to cover the cost of its operations, activities, and staff in its annual budget as approved each year. The aggregate annual assessment amount, if any, must be allocated based upon a formula to be determined by the commission, which shall promulgate a rule that is binding upon all party states.
(3) The commission may not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same, nor may the commission pledge the credit of any of the party states, except by, and with the authority of, such party state.
(4) The commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the commission are subject to the audit and accounting procedures established under its bylaws. However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the commission must be audited yearly by a certified or licensed public accountant, and the report of the audit must be included in and become part of the annual report of the commission.
(I) Qualified immunity, defense, and indemnification.
(1) The administrators, officers, executive director, employees, and representatives of the commission are immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their official capacity, for a claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused by or arising out of any actual or alleged act, error or omission that occurred, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred, within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided that nothing in this item may be construed to protect him from suit or liability for any damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by his intentional, wilful, or wanton misconduct.
(2) The commission shall defend an administrator, officer, executive director, employee, or representative of the commission in a civil action seeking to impose liability arising out of an actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided that nothing herein may be construed to prohibit that person from retaining his own counsel; and provided further that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from that person's intentional, wilful, or wanton misconduct.
(3) The commission shall indemnify and hold harmless any administrator, officer, executive director, employee, or representative of the commission for the amount of a settlement or judgment obtained against that person arising out of an actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that he had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from his intentional, wilful, or wanton misconduct.
Section 40-33-1350. (A) The commission shall exercise its rulemaking powers pursuant to the criteria set forth in this article and the rules adopted pursuant to it. Rules and amendments become binding as of the date specified in each rule or amendment and have the same force and effect as provisions of this compact.
(B) Rules or amendments to the rules must be adopted at a regular or special meeting of the commission.
(C) Prior to promulgation and adoption of a final rule or rules by the commission, and at least sixty days in advance of the meeting at which the rule will be considered and voted upon, the commission shall file a notice of proposed rulemaking on the websites of:
(1) the commission; and
(2) each licensing board or the publication in which each state would otherwise publish proposed rules.
(D) The notice of proposed rulemaking must include:
(1) the proposed time, date, and location of the meeting in which the rule will be considered and voted upon;
(2) the text of the proposed rule or amendment and the reason for the proposed rule;
(3) a request for comments on the proposed rule from any interested person; and
(4) the manner in which interested persons may submit notice to the commission of their intention to attend the public hearing and any written comments.
(E) Prior to adoption of a proposed rule, the commission shall allow persons to submit written data, facts, opinions, and arguments, which must be made available to the public.
(F) The commission shall grant an opportunity for a public hearing before it adopts a rule or amendment.
(G) The commission shall publish the place, time, and date of the scheduled public hearing, provided:
(1) hearings must be conducted in a manner providing each person who wishes to comment a fair and reasonable opportunity to comment orally or in writing;
(2) all hearings will be recorded and a copy will be made available upon request; and
(3) nothing in this subsection may be construed as requiring a separate hearing on each rule. Rules may be grouped for the convenience of the commission at hearings required by this section.
(H) If no one appears at the public hearing, the commission may proceed with promulgation of the proposed rule.
(I) Following the scheduled hearing date, or by the close of business on the scheduled hearing date if the hearing was not held, the commission shall consider all written and oral comments received.
(J) The commission shall, by majority vote of all administrators, take final action on the proposed rule and shall determine the effective date of the rule, if any, based on the rulemaking record and the full text of the rule.
(K) Upon determination that an emergency exists, the commission may consider and adopt an emergency rule without prior notice, opportunity for comment or hearing, provided that the usual rulemaking procedures provided in this compact and in this section must be retroactively applied to the rule as soon as reasonably possible, in no event later than ninety days after the effective date of the rule. For the purposes of this subsection, an emergency rule is one that must be adopted immediately in order to:
(1) meet an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare;
(2) prevent a loss of commission or party state funds; or
(3) meet a deadline for the promulgation of an administrative rule that is required by federal law or rule.
(L) The commission may direct revisions to a previously adopted rule or amendment for purposes of correcting typographical errors, errors in format, errors in consistency, or grammatical errors. Public notice of any revisions must be posted on the website of the commission. The revision is subject to challenge by any person for a period of thirty days after posting. The revision may be challenged only on grounds that the revision results in a material change to a rule. A challenge must be made in writing and delivered to the commission before the end of the notice period. If no challenge is made, the revision will take effect without further action. If the revision is challenged, the revision may not take effect without the approval of the commission.
Section 40-33-1355. (A) Oversight.
(1) Each party state shall enforce this compact and take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate this compact's purposes and intent.
(2) The commission is entitled to receive service of process in any proceeding that may affect the powers, responsibilities, or actions of the commission, and has standing to intervene in such a proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide service of process in such proceeding to the commission renders a judgment or order void as to the commission, this compact, or promulgated rules.
(B) Default, technical assistance, and termination.
(1) If the commission determines that a party state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this compact or the promulgated rules, the commission shall provide:
(a) written notice to the defaulting state and other party states of the nature of the default, the proposed means of curing the default or any other action to be taken by the commission; and
(b) remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.
(2) If a state in default fails to cure the default, the defaulting state's membership in this compact may be terminated upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the administrators, and all rights, privileges, and benefits conferred by this compact may be terminated on the effective date of termination. A cure of the default does not relieve the offending state of obligations or liabilities incurred during the period of default.
(3) Termination of membership in this compact may be imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate must be given by the commission to the governor of the defaulting state and to the executive officer of the defaulting state's licensing board and each of the party states.
(4) A state whose membership in this compact has been terminated is responsible for all assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the effective date of termination, including obligations that extend beyond the effective date of termination.
(5) The commission may not bear any costs related to a state that is found to be in default or whose membership in this compact has been terminated unless agreed upon in writing between the commission and the defaulting state.
(6) The defaulting state may appeal the action of the commission by petitioning the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district in which the commission has its principal offices. The prevailing party must be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney's fees.
(C) Dispute resolution.
(1) Upon request by a party state, the commission shall attempt to resolve disputes related to the compact that arise among party states and between party and nonparty states.
(2) The commission shall promulgate a rule providing for both mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes, as appropriate.
(3) In the event the commission cannot resolve disputes among party states arising under this compact:
(a) the party states may submit the issues in dispute to an arbitration panel, which must be comprised of individuals appointed by the compact administrator in each of the affected party states and an individual mutually agreed upon by the compact administrators of all the party states involved in the dispute; and
(b) a decision of a majority of the arbitrators is final and binding.
(D) Enforcement.
(1) The commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce the provisions and rules of this compact.
(2) By majority vote, the commission may initiate legal action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district in which the commission has its principal offices against a party state that is in default to enforce compliance with the provisions of this compact and its promulgated rules and bylaws. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party must be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney's fees.
(3) The remedies in this section are not be the exclusive remedies of the commission. The commission may pursue any other remedies available under federal or state law.
Section 40-33-1360. (A) This compact must become effective and binding on the earlier of the date of legislative enactment of this compact into law by no less than twenty-six states or December 31, 2018. All party states to this compact that also were parties to the prior Nurse Licensure Compact, superseded by this compact, must be considered to have withdrawn from the prior compact within six months after the effective date of this compact.
(B) Each party state to this compact shall continue to recognize a nurse's multistate licensure privilege to practice in that party state issued under the prior compact until such party state has withdrawn from the prior compact.
(C) A party state may withdraw from this compact by enacting a statute repealing the same. A party state's withdrawal may not take effect until six months after enactment of the repealing statute.
(D) A party state's withdrawal or termination may not affect the continuing requirement of the withdrawing or terminated state's licensing board to report adverse actions and significant investigations occurring prior to the effective date of such withdrawal or termination.
(E) Nothing contained in this compact may be construed to invalidate or prevent any nurse licensure agreement or other cooperative arrangement between a party state and a nonparty state that is made in accordance with the other provisions of this compact.
(F) This compact may be amended by the party states. No amendment to this compact becomes effective and binding upon the party states unless and until it is enacted into the laws of all party states.
(G) Representatives of nonparty states to this compact must be invited to participate in the activities of the commission, on a nonvoting basis, prior to the adoption of this compact by all states.
Section 40-33-1365. This compact must be liberally construed so as to effectuate its purposes. The provisions of this compact are severable, and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of this compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any party state or of the United States, or if the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this compact and the applicability of it to any government, agency, person, or circumstance is not affected. If this compact is held to be contrary to the constitution of any party state, this compact remains in full force and effect as to the remaining party states and in full force and effect as to the party state affected as to all severable matters."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
This web page was last updated on April 27, 2017 at 11:24 AM