HB 554 — An Act authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Social Work Licensure Compact; and providing for the form of the compact.

PRINTER'S NO.   555

                   THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                       HOUSE BILL
                       No. 554
                                              Session of
                                                2025

     INTRODUCED BY ABNEY, HILL-EVANS, VENKAT, HOWARD, GIRAL, SANCHEZ,
        SCHLOSSBERG, WAXMAN, BRENNAN, HOHENSTEIN, KHAN, NEILSON,
        SHUSTERMAN, KENYATTA, FREEMAN, O'MARA, FRANKEL, BELLMON,
        CERRATO, FLEMING, OTTEN, DEASY, GREEN AND DALEY,
        FEBRUARY 11, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE,
        FEBRUARY 11, 2025


                                   AN ACT
 1   Authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Social
 2      Work Licensure Compact; and providing for the form of the
 3      compact.
 4      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 5   hereby enacts as follows:
 6   Section 1.   Short title.
 7      This act shall be known and may be cited as the Social Work
 8   Licensure Compact Act.
 9   Section 2.   Authority to execute compact.
10      The Governor, on behalf of the Commonwealth, is hereby
11   authorized to execute a compact in substantially the following
12   form with any one or more of the states of the United States,
13   and the General Assembly hereby signifies in advance its
14   approval and ratification of the compact:
15                     SOCIAL WORK LICENSURE COMPACT
16   SECTION 1.   PURPOSE
 1      The purpose of this Compact is to facilitate interstate
 2   practice of Regulated Social Workers by improving public access
 3   to competent Social Work Services. The Compact preserves the
 4   regulatory authority of States to protect public health and
 5   safety through the current system of State licensure.
 6      This Compact is designed to achieve the following objectives:
 7          A.    Increase public access to Social Work Services;
 8          B.    Reduce overly burdensome and duplicative requirements
 9      associated with holding multiple licenses;
10          C.    Enhance the Member States' ability to protect the
11      public's health and safety;
12          D.    Encourage the cooperation of Member States in
13      regulating multistate practice;
14          E.    Promote mobility and address workforce shortages by
15      eliminating the necessity for licenses in multiple States by
16      providing for the mutual recognition of other Member State
17      licenses;
18          F.    Support military families;
19          G.    Facilitate the exchange of licensure and disciplinary
20      information among Member States;
21          H.    Authorize all Member States to hold a Regulated
22      Social Worker accountable for abiding by a Member State's
23      laws, regulations, and applicable professional standards in
24      the Member State in which the client is located at the time
25      care is rendered; and
26          I.    Allow for the use of telehealth to facilitate
27      increased access to regulated Social Work Services.
28   SECTION 2.   DEFINITIONS
29      As used in this Compact, and except as otherwise provided,
30   the following definitions shall apply:

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 1      A.   "Active Military Member" means any individual with full-
 2   time duty status in the active armed forces of the United States
 3   including members of the National Guard and Reserve.
 4      B.   "Adverse Action" means any administrative, civil,
 5   equitable or criminal action permitted by a State's laws which
 6   is imposed by a Licensing Authority or other authority against a
 7   Regulated Social Worker, including actions against an
 8   individual's license or Multistate Authorization to Practice
 9   such as revocation, suspension, probation, monitoring of the
10   Licensee, limitation on the Licensee's practice, or any other
11   Encumbrance on licensure affecting a Regulated Social Worker's
12   authorization to practice, including issuance of a cease and
13   desist action.
14      C.   "Alternative Program" means a non-disciplinary monitoring
15   or practice remediation process approved by a Licensing
16   Authority to address practitioners with an Impairment.
17      D.   "Charter Member States" - Member States who have enacted
18   legislation to adopt this Compact where such legislation
19   predates the effective date of this Compact as described in
20   Section 14.
21      E.   "Compact Commission" or "Commission" means the government
22   agency whose membership consists of all States that have enacted
23   this Compact, which is known as the Social Work Licensure
24   Compact Commission, as described in Section 10, and which shall
25   operate as an instrumentality of the Member States.
26      F.   "Current Significant Investigative Information" means:
27           1.    Investigative information that a Licensing Authority,
28      after a preliminary inquiry that includes notification and an
29      opportunity for the Regulated Social Worker to respond has
30      reason to believe is not groundless and, if proved true,

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 1      would indicate more than a minor infraction as may be defined
 2      by the Commission; or
 3           2.   Investigative information that indicates that the
 4      Regulated Social Worker represents an immediate threat to
 5      public health and safety, as may be defined by the
 6      Commission, regardless of whether the Regulated Social Worker
 7      has been notified and has had an opportunity to respond.
 8      G.   "Data System" means a repository of information about
 9   Licensees, including, continuing education, examination,
10   licensure, Current Significant Investigative Information,
11   Disqualifying Event, Multistate License(s) and Adverse Action
12   information or other information as required by the Commission.
13      H.   "Disqualifying Event" means any Adverse Action or
14   incident which results in an Encumbrance that disqualifies or
15   makes the Licensee ineligible to either obtain, retain or renew
16   a Multistate License.
17      I.   "Domicile" means the jurisdiction in which the Licensee
18   resides and intends to remain indefinitely.
19      J.   "Encumbrance" means a revocation or suspension of, or any
20   limitation on, the full and unrestricted practice of Social Work
21   licensed and regulated by a Licensing Authority.
22      K.   "Executive Committee" means a group of delegates elected
23   or appointed to act on behalf of, and within the powers granted
24   to them by, the compact and Commission.
25      L.   "Home State" means the Member State that is the
26   Licensee's primary Domicile.
27      M.   "Impairment" means a condition(s) that may impair a
28   practitioner's ability to engage in full and unrestricted
29   practice as a Regulated Social Worker without some type of
30   intervention and may include alcohol and drug dependence, mental

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 1   health impairment, and neurological or physical impairments.
 2      N.   "Licensee(s)" means an individual who currently holds a
 3   license from a State to practice as a Regulated Social Worker.
 4      O.   "Licensing Authority" means the board or agency of a
 5   Member State, or equivalent, that is responsible for the
 6   licensing and regulation of Regulated Social Workers.
 7      P.   "Member State" means a state, commonwealth, district, or
 8   territory of the United States of America that has enacted this
 9   Compact.
10      Q.   "Multistate Authorization to Practice" means a legally
11   authorized privilege to practice, which is equivalent to a
12   license, associated with a Multistate License permitting the
13   practice of Social Work in a Remote State.
14      R.   "Multistate License" means a license to practice as a
15   Regulated Social Worker issued by a Home State Licensing
16   Authority that authorizes the Regulated Social Worker to
17   practice in all Member States under Multistate Authorization to
18   Practice.
19      S.   "Qualifying National Exam" means a national licensing
20   examination approved by the Commission.
21      T.   "Regulated Social Worker" means any clinical, master's or
22   bachelor's Social Worker licensed by a Member State regardless
23   of the title used by that Member State.
24      U.   "Remote State" means a Member State other than the
25   Licensee's Home State.
26      V.   "Rule(s)" or "Rule(s) of the Commission" means a
27   regulation or regulations duly promulgated by the Commission, as
28   authorized by the Compact, that has the force of law.
29      W.   "Single State License" means a Social Work license issued
30   by any State that authorizes practice only within the issuing

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 1   State and does not include Multistate Authorization to Practice
 2   in any Member State.
 3      X.   "Social Work" or "Social Work Services" means the
 4   application of social work theory, knowledge, methods, ethics,
 5   and the professional use of self to restore or enhance social,
 6   psychosocial, or biopsychosocial functioning of individuals,
 7   couples, families, groups, organizations, and communities
 8   through the care and services provided by a Regulated Social
 9   Worker as set forth in the Member State's statutes and
10   regulations in the State where the services are being provided.
11      Y.   "State" means any state, commonwealth, district, or
12   territory of the United States of America that regulates the
13   practice of Social Work.
14      Z.   "Unencumbered License" means a license that authorizes a
15   Regulated Social Worker to engage in the full and unrestricted
16   practice of Social Work.
17   SECTION 3.   STATE PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPACT
18      A.   To be eligible to participate in the compact, a potential
19   Member State must currently meet all of the following criteria:
20           1.   License and regulate the practice of Social Work at
21      either the clinical, master's, or bachelor's category.
22           2.   Require applicants for licensure to graduate from a
23      program that is:
24                a.   Operated by a college or university recognized by
25           the Licensing Authority;
26                b.   Accredited, or in candidacy by an institution
27           that subsequently becomes accredited, by an accrediting
28           agency recognized by either:
29                     i.   the Council for Higher Education
30                Accreditation, or its successor; or

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 1                       ii.   the United States Department of Education;
 2                 and
 3                 c.    Corresponds to the licensure sought as outlined
 4            in Section 4.
 5            3.   Require applicants for clinical licensure to complete
 6      a period of supervised practice.
 7            4.   Have a mechanism in place for receiving,
 8      investigating, and adjudicating complaints about Licensees.
 9      B.    To maintain membership in the Compact a Member State
10   shall:
11            1.   Require that applicants for a Multistate License pass
12      a Qualifying National Exam for the corresponding category of
13      Multistate License sought as outlined in Section 4.
14            2.   Participate fully in the Commission's Data System,
15      including using the Commission's unique identifier as defined
16      in Rules.
17            3.   Notify the Commission, in compliance with the terms
18      of the Compact and Rules, of any Adverse Action or the
19      availability of Current Significant Investigative Information
20      regarding a Licensee.
21            4.   Implement procedures for considering the criminal
22      history records of applicants for a Multistate License. Such
23      procedures shall include the submission of fingerprints or
24      other biometric-based information by applicants for the
25      purpose of obtaining an applicant's criminal history record
26      information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the
27      agency responsible for retaining that State's criminal
28      records.
29            5.   Comply with the Rules of the Commission.
30            6.   Require an applicant to obtain or retain a license in

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 1      the Home State and meet the Home State's qualifications for
 2      licensure or renewal of licensure, as well as all other
 3      applicable Home State laws.
 4           7.   Authorize a Licensee holding a Multistate License in
 5      any Member State to practice in accordance with the terms of
 6      the Compact and Rules of the Commission.
 7           8.   Designate a delegate to participate in the Commission
 8      meetings.
 9      C.   A Member State meeting the requirements of Section 3.A.
10   and 3.B of this Compact shall designate the categories of Social
11   Work licensure that are eligible for issuance of a Multistate
12   License for applicants in such Member State. To the extent that
13   any Member State does not meet the requirements for
14   participation in the Compact at any particular category of
15   Social Work licensure, such Member State may choose, but is not
16   obligated to, issue a Multistate License to applicants that
17   otherwise meet the requirements of Section 4 for issuance of a
18   Multistate License in such category or categories of licensure.
19      D.   The Home State may charge a fee for granting the
20   Multistate License.
21   SECTION 4.   SOCIAL WORKER PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPACT
22      A.   To be eligible for a Multistate License under the terms
23   and provisions of the Compact, an applicant, regardless of
24   category must:
25           1.   Hold or be eligible for an active, Unencumbered
26      License in the Home State.
27           2.   Pay any applicable fees, including any State fee, for
28      the Multistate License.
29           3.   Submit, in connection with an application for a
30      Multistate License, fingerprints or other biometric data for

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 1      the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information
 2      from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency
 3      responsible for retaining that State's criminal records.
 4           4.   Notify the Home State of any Adverse Action,
 5      Encumbrance, or restriction on any professional license taken
 6      by any Member State or non-Member State within 30 days from
 7      the date the action is taken.
 8           5.   Meet any continuing competence requirements
 9      established by the Home State.
10           6.   Abide by the laws, regulations, and applicable
11      standards in the Member State where the client is located at
12      the time care is rendered.
13      B.   An applicant for a clinical-category Multistate License
14   must meet all of the following requirements:
15           1.   Fulfill a competency requirement, which shall be
16      satisfied by either:
17                a.   Passage of a clinical-category Qualifying
18           National Exam; or
19                b.   Licensure of the applicant in their Home State at
20           the clinical category, beginning prior to such time as a
21           Qualifying National Exam was required by the Home State
22           and accompanied by a period of continuous Social Work
23           licensure thereafter, all of which may be further
24           governed by the Rules of the Commission; or
25                c.   The substantial equivalency of the foregoing
26           competency requirements which the Commission may
27           determine by Rule.
28           2.   Attain at least a master's degree in Social Work from
29      a program that is:
30                a.   Operated by a college or university recognized by

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 1           the Licensing Authority; and
 2                b.    Accredited, or in candidacy that subsequently
 3           becomes accredited, by an accrediting agency recognized
 4           by either:
 5                      i.    the Council for Higher Education
 6                Accreditation or its successor; or
 7                      ii.   the United States Department of Education.
 8           3.   Fulfill a practice requirement, which shall be
 9      satisfied by demonstrating completion of either:
10                a.    A period of postgraduate supervised clinical
11           practice equal to a minimum of three thousand hours; or
12                b.    A minimum of two years of full-time postgraduate
13           supervised clinical practice; or
14                c.    The substantial equivalency of the foregoing
15           practice requirements which the Commission may determine
16           by Rule.
17      C.   An applicant for a master's-category Multistate License
18   must meet all of the following requirements:
19           1.   Fulfill a competency requirement, which shall be
20      satisfied by either:
21                a.    Passage of a masters-category Qualifying National
22           Exam;
23                b.    Licensure of the applicant in their Home State at
24           the master's category, beginning prior to such time as a
25           Qualifying National Exam was required by the Home State
26           at the master's category and accompanied by a continuous
27           period of Social Work licensure thereafter, all of which
28           may be further governed by the Rules of the Commission;
29           or
30                c.    The substantial equivalency of the foregoing

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 1           competency requirements which the Commission may
 2           determine by Rule.
 3           2.   Attain at least a master's degree in Social Work from
 4      a program that is:
 5                a.   Operated by a college or university recognized by
 6           the Licensing Authority; and
 7                b.   Accredited, or in candidacy that subsequently
 8           becomes accredited, by an accrediting agency recognized
 9           by either:
10                     i.    the Council for Higher Education
11                Accreditation or its successor; or
12                     ii.   the United States Department of Education.
13      D.   An applicant for a bachelor's-category Multistate License
14   must meet all of the following requirements:
15           1.   Fulfill a competency requirement, which shall be
16      satisfied by either:
17                a.   Passage of a bachelor's-category Qualifying
18           National Exam;
19                b.   Licensure of the applicant in their Home State at
20           the bachelor's category, beginning prior to such time as
21           a Qualifying National Exam was required by the Home State
22           and accompanied by a period of continuous Social Work
23           licensure thereafter, all of which may be further
24           governed by the Rules of the Commission; or
25                c.   The substantial equivalency of the foregoing
26           competency requirements which the Commission may
27           determine by Rule.
28           2.   Attain at least a bachelor's degree in Social Work
29      from a program that is:
30                a.   Operated by a college or university recognized by

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 1           the Licensing Authority; and
 2                 b.   Accredited, or in candidacy that subsequently
 3           becomes accredited, by an accrediting agency recognized
 4           by either:
 5                      i.    the Council for Higher Education
 6                 Accreditation or its successor; or
 7                      ii.   the United States Department of Education.
 8      E.   The Multistate License for a Regulated Social Worker is
 9   subject to the renewal requirements of the Home State. The
10   Regulated Social Worker must maintain compliance with the
11   requirements of Section 4(A) to be eligible to renew a
12   Multistate License.
13      F.   The Regulated Social Worker's services in a Remote State
14   are subject to that Member State's regulatory authority. A
15   Remote State may, in accordance with due process and that Member
16   State's laws, remove a Regulated Social Worker's Multistate
17   Authorization to Practice in the Remote State for a specific
18   period of time, impose fines, and take any other necessary
19   actions to protect the health and safety of its citizens.
20      G.   If a Multistate License is encumbered, the Regulated
21   Social Worker's Multistate Authorization to Practice shall be
22   deactivated in all Remote States until the Multistate License is
23   no longer encumbered.
24      H.   If a Multistate Authorization to Practice is encumbered
25   in a Remote State, the regulated Social Worker's Multistate
26   Authorization to Practice may be deactivated in that State until
27   the Multistate Authorization to Practice is no longer
28   encumbered.
29   SECTION 5.    ISSUANCE OF A MULTISTATE LICENSE
30      A.   Upon receipt of an application for Multistate License,

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 1   the Home State Licensing Authority shall determine the
 2   applicant's eligibility for a Multistate License in accordance
 3   with Section 4 of this Compact.
 4      B.   If such applicant is eligible pursuant to Section 4 of
 5   this Compact, the Home State Licensing Authority shall issue a
 6   Multistate License that authorizes the applicant or Regulated
 7   Social Worker to practice in all Member States under a
 8   Multistate Authorization to Practice.
 9      C.   Upon issuance of a Multistate License, the Home State
10   Licensing Authority shall designate whether the Regulated Social
11   Worker holds a Multistate License in the Bachelors, Masters, or
12   Clinical category of Social Work.
13      D.   A Multistate License issued by a Home State to a resident
14   in that State shall be recognized by all Compact Member States
15   as authorizing Social Work Practice under a Multistate
16   Authorization to Practice corresponding to each category of
17   licensure regulated in each Member State.
18   SECTION 6.   AUTHORITY OF INTERSTATE COMPACT COMMISSION AND
19                MEMBER STATE LICENSING AUTHORITIES
20      A.   Nothing in this Compact, nor any Rule of the Commission,
21   shall be construed to limit, restrict, or in any way reduce the
22   ability of a Member State to enact and enforce laws,
23   regulations, or other rules related to the practice of Social
24   Work in that State, where those laws, regulations, or other
25   rules are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Compact.
26      B.   Nothing in this Compact shall affect the requirements
27   established by a Member State for the issuance of a Single State
28   License.
29      C.   Nothing in this Compact, nor any Rule of the Commission,
30   shall be construed to limit, restrict, or in any way reduce the

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 1   ability of a Member State to take Adverse Action against a
 2   Licensee's Single State License to practice Social Work in that
 3   State.
 4      D.    Nothing in this Compact, nor any Rule of the Commission,
 5   shall be construed to limit, restrict, or in any way reduce the
 6   ability of a Remote State to take Adverse Action against a
 7   Licensee's Multistate Authorization to Practice in that State.
 8      E.    Nothing in this Compact, nor any Rule of the Commission,
 9   shall be construed to limit, restrict, or in any way reduce the
10   ability of a Licensee's Home State to take Adverse Action
11   against a Licensee's Multistate License based upon information
12   provided by a Remote State.
13   SECTION 7.    REISSUANCE OF A MULTISTATE LICENSE BY A NEW HOME
14                 STATE
15      A.    A Licensee can hold a Multistate License, issued by their
16   Home State, in only one Member State at any given time.
17      B.    If a Licensee changes their Home State by moving between
18   two Member States:
19            1.   The Licensee shall immediately apply for the
20      reissuance of their Multistate License in their new Home
21      State. The Licensee shall pay all applicable fees and notify
22      the prior Home State in accordance with the Rules of the
23      Commission.
24            2.   Upon receipt of an application to reissue a
25      Multistate License, the new Home State shall verify that the
26      Multistate License is active, unencumbered and eligible for
27      reissuance under the terms of the Compact and the Rules of
28      the Commission. The Multistate License issued by the prior
29      Home State will be deactivated and all Member States notified
30      in accordance with the applicable Rules adopted by the

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 1      Commission.
 2           3.   Prior to the reissuance of the Multistate License,
 3      the new Home State shall conduct procedures for considering
 4      the criminal history records of the Licensee. Such procedures
 5      shall include the submission of fingerprints or other
 6      biometric-based information by applicants for the purpose of
 7      obtaining an applicant's criminal history record information
 8      from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency
 9      responsible for retaining that State's criminal records.
10           4.   If required for initial licensure, the new Home State
11      may require completion of jurisprudence requirements in the
12      new Home State.
13           5.   Notwithstanding any other provision of this Compact,
14      if a Licensee does not meet the requirements set forth in
15      this Compact for the reissuance of a Multistate License by
16      the new Home State, then the Licensee shall be subject to the
17      new Home State requirements for the issuance of a Single
18      State License in that State.
19      C.   If a Licensee changes their primary State of residence by
20   moving from a Member State to a non-Member State, or from a non-
21   Member State to a Member State, then the Licensee shall be
22   subject to the State requirements for the issuance of a Single
23   State License in the new Home State.
24      D.   Nothing in this Compact shall interfere with a Licensee's
25   ability to hold a Single State License in multiple States;
26   however, for the purposes of this Compact, a Licensee shall have
27   only one Home State, and only one Multistate License.
28      E.   Nothing in this Compact shall interfere with the
29   requirements established by a Member State for the issuance of a
30   Single State License.

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 1   SECTION 8.    MILITARY FAMILIES
 2      An Active Military Member or their spouse shall designate a
 3   Home State where the individual has a Multistate License. The
 4   individual may retain their Home State designation during the
 5   period the service member is on active duty.
 6   SECTION 9.    ADVERSE ACTIONS
 7      A.   In addition to the other powers conferred by State law, a
 8   Remote State shall have the authority, in accordance with
 9   existing State due process law, to:
10           1.    Take Adverse Action against a Regulated Social
11      Worker's Multistate Authorization to Practice only within
12      that Member State, and issue subpoenas for both hearings and
13      investigations that require the attendance and testimony of
14      witnesses as well as the production of evidence. Subpoenas
15      issued by a Licensing Authority in a Member State for the
16      attendance and testimony of witnesses or the production of
17      evidence from another Member State shall be enforced in the
18      latter State by any court of competent jurisdiction,
19      according to the practice and procedure of that court
20      applicable to subpoenas issued in proceedings pending before
21      it. The issuing Licensing Authority shall pay any witness
22      fees, travel expenses, mileage, and other fees required by
23      the service statutes of the State in which the witnesses or
24      evidence are located.
25           2.    Only the Home State shall have the power to take
26      Adverse Action against a Regulated Social Worker's Multistate
27      License.
28      B.   For purposes of taking Adverse Action, the Home State
29   shall give the same priority and effect to reported conduct
30   received from a Member State as it would if the conduct had

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 1   occurred within the Home State. In so doing, the Home State
 2   shall apply its own State laws to determine appropriate action.
 3      C.     The Home State shall complete any pending investigations
 4   of a Regulated Social Worker who changes their Home State during
 5   the course of the investigations. The Home State shall also have
 6   the authority to take appropriate action(s) and shall promptly
 7   report the conclusions of the investigations to the
 8   administrator of the Data System. The administrator of the Data
 9   System shall promptly notify the new Home State of any Adverse
10   Actions.
11      D.     A Member State, if otherwise permitted by State law, may
12   recover from the affected Regulated Social Worker the costs of
13   investigations and dispositions of cases resulting from any
14   Adverse Action taken against that Regulated Social Worker.
15      E.     A Member State may take Adverse Action based on the
16   factual findings of another Member State, provided that the
17   Member State follows its own procedures for taking the Adverse
18   Action.
19      F.     Joint Investigations:
20             1.   In addition to the authority granted to a Member
21      State by its respective Social Work practice act or other
22      applicable State law, any Member State may participate with
23      other Member States in joint investigations of Licensees.
24             2.   Member States shall share any investigative,
25      litigation, or compliance materials in furtherance of any
26      joint or individual investigation initiated under the
27      Compact.
28      G.     If Adverse Action is taken by the Home State against the
29   Multistate License of a Regulated Social Worker, the Regulated
30   Social Worker's Multistate Authorization to Practice in all

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 1   other Member States shall be deactivated until all Encumbrances
 2   have been removed from the Multistate License. All Home State
 3   disciplinary orders that impose Adverse Action against the
 4   license of a Regulated Social Worker shall include a statement
 5   that the Regulated Social Worker's Multistate Authorization to
 6   Practice is deactivated in all Member States until all
 7   conditions of the decision, order or agreement are satisfied.
 8      H.   If a Member State takes Adverse Action, it shall promptly
 9   notify the administrator of the Data System. The administrator
10   of the Data System shall promptly notify the Home State and all
11   other Member State's of any Adverse Actions by Remote States.
12      I.   Nothing in this Compact shall override a Member State's
13   decision that participation in an Alternative Program may be
14   used in lieu of Adverse Action.
15      J.   Nothing in this Compact shall authorize a Member State to
16   demand the issuance of subpoenas for attendance and testimony of
17   witnesses or the production of evidence from another Member
18   State for lawful actions within that Member State.
19      K.   Nothing in this Compact shall authorize a Member State to
20   impose discipline against a Regulated Social Worker who holds a
21   Multistate Authorization to Practice for lawful actions within
22   another Member State.
23   SECTION 10.    ESTABLISHMENT OF SOCIAL WORK LICENSURE COMPACT
24                 COMMISSION
25      A.   The Compact Member States hereby create and establish a
26   joint government agency whose membership consists of all Member
27   States that have enacted the compact known as the Social Work
28   Licensure Compact Commission. The Commission is an
29   instrumentality of the Compact States acting jointly and not an
30   instrumentality of any one State. The Commission shall come into

20250HB0554PN0555                   - 18 -
 1   existence on or after the effective date of the Compact as set
 2   forth in Section 14.
 3      B.   Membership, Voting, and Meetings
 4           1.   Each Member State shall have and be limited to one
 5      (1) delegate selected by that Member State's Licensing
 6      Authority.
 7           2.   The delegate shall be either:
 8                a.   A current member of the Licensing Authority at
 9           the time of appointment, who is a Regulated Social Worker
10           or public member of the State Licensing Authority; or
11                b.   An administrator of the Licensing Authority or
12           their designee.
13           3.   The Commission shall by Rule or bylaw establish a
14      term of office for delegates and may by Rule or bylaw
15      establish term limits.
16           4.   The Commission may recommend removal or suspension of
17      any delegate from office.
18           5.   A Member State's Licensing Authority shall fill any
19      vacancy of its delegate occurring on the Commission within 60
20      days of the vacancy.
21           6.   Each delegate shall be entitled to one vote on all
22      matters before the Commission requiring a vote by Commission
23      delegates.
24           7.   A delegate shall vote in person or by such other
25      means as provided in the bylaws. The bylaws may provide for
26      delegates to meet by telecommunication, video conference, or
27      other means of communication.
28           8.   The Commission shall meet at least once during each
29      calendar year. Additional meetings may be held as set forth
30      in the bylaws. The Commission may meet by telecommunication,

20250HB0554PN0555                    - 19 -
 1    video conference or other similar electronic means.
 2    C.   The Commission shall have the following powers:
 3         1.    Establish the fiscal year of the Commission;
 4         2.    Establish code of conduct and conflict of interest
 5    policies;
 6         3.    Establish and amend Rules and bylaws;
 7         4.    Maintain its financial records in accordance with the
 8    bylaws;
 9         5.    Meet and take such actions as are consistent with the
10    provisions of this Compact, the Commission's Rules, and the
11    bylaws;
12         6.    Initiate and conclude legal proceedings or actions in
13    the name of the Commission, provided that the standing of any
14    Licensing Authority to sue or be sued under applicable law
15    shall not be affected;
16         7.    Maintain and certify records and information provided
17    to a Member State as the authenticated business records of
18    the Commission, and designate an agent to do so on the
19    Commission's behalf;
20         8.    Purchase and maintain insurance and bonds;
21         9.    Borrow, accept, or contract for services of
22    personnel, including, but not limited to, employees of a
23    Member State;
24         10.    Conduct an annual financial review;
25         11.    Hire employees, elect or appoint officers, fix
26    compensation, define duties, grant such individuals
27    appropriate authority to carry out the purposes of the
28    Compact, and establish the Commission's personnel policies
29    and programs relating to conflicts of interest,
30    qualifications of personnel, and other related personnel

20250HB0554PN0555                  - 20 -
 1    matters;
 2        12.     Assess and collect fees;
 3        13.     Accept any and all appropriate gifts, donations,
 4    grants of money, other sources of revenue, equipment,
 5    supplies, materials, and services, and receive, utilize, and
 6    dispose of the same; provided that at all times the
 7    Commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety or
 8    conflict of interest;
 9        14.     Lease, purchase, retain, own, hold, improve, or use
10    any property, real, personal, or mixed, or any undivided
11    interest therein;
12        15.     Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange,
13    abandon, or otherwise dispose of any property real, personal,
14    or mixed;
15        16.     Establish a budget and make expenditures;
16        17.     Borrow money;
17        18.     Appoint committees, including standing committees,
18    composed of members, State regulators, State legislators or
19    their representatives, and consumer representatives, and such
20    other interested persons as may be designated in this Compact
21    and the bylaws;
22        19.     Provide and receive information from, and cooperate
23    with, law enforcement agencies;
24        20.     Establish and elect an Executive Committee,
25    including a chair and a vice chair;
26        21.     Determine whether a State's adopted language is
27    materially different from the model compact language such
28    that the State would not qualify for participation in the
29    Compact; and
30        22.     Perform such other functions as may be necessary or

20250HB0554PN0555                  - 21 -
 1    appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Compact.
 2    D.   The Executive Committee
 3         1.    The Executive Committee shall have the power to act
 4    on behalf of the Commission according to the terms of this
 5    Compact. The powers, duties, and responsibilities of the
 6    Executive Committee shall include:
 7               a.   Oversee the day-to-day activities of the
 8         administration of the compact including enforcement and
 9         compliance with the provisions of the compact, its Rules
10         and bylaws, and other such duties as deemed necessary;
11               b.   Recommend to the Commission changes to the Rules
12         or bylaws, changes to this Compact legislation, fees
13         charged to Compact Member States, fees charged to
14         Licensees, and other fees;
15               c.   Ensure Compact administration services are
16         appropriately provided, including by contract;
17               d.   Prepare and recommend the budget;
18               e.   Maintain financial records on behalf of the
19         Commission;
20               f.   Monitor Compact compliance of Member States and
21         provide compliance reports to the Commission;
22               g.   Establish additional committees as necessary;
23               h.   Exercise the powers and duties of the Commission
24         during the interim between Commission meetings, except
25         for adopting or amending Rules, adopting or amending
26         bylaws, and exercising any other powers and duties
27         expressly reserved to the Commission by Rule or bylaw;
28         and
29               i.   Other duties as provided in the Rules or bylaws
30         of the Commission.

20250HB0554PN0555                   - 22 -
 1           2.   The Executive Committee shall be composed of up to
 2      eleven (11) members:
 3                a.   The chair and vice chair of the Commission shall
 4           be voting members of the Executive Committee; and
 5                b.   The Commission shall elect five voting members
 6           from the current membership of the Commission.
 7                c.   Up to four (4) ex officio, nonvoting members from
 8           four (4) recognized national Social Work organizations.
 9                d.   The ex officio members will be selected by their
10           respective organizations.
11           3.   The Commission may remove any member of the Executive
12      Committee as provided in the Commission's bylaws.
13           4.   The Executive Committee shall meet at least annually.
14                a.   Executive Committee meetings shall be open to the
15           public, except that the Executive Committee may meet in a
16           closed, non-public meeting as provided in subsection F.2
17           below.
18                b.   The Executive Committee shall give seven (7)
19           days' notice of its meetings, posted on its website and
20           as determined to provide notice to persons with an
21           interest in the business of the Commission.
22                c.   The Executive Committee may hold a special
23           meeting in accordance with subsection F.1.b. below.
24      E.   The Commission shall adopt and provide to the Member
25   States an annual report.
26      F.   Meetings of the Commission
27           1.   All meetings shall be open to the public, except that
28      the Commission may meet in a closed, non-public meeting as
29      provided in subsection F.2 below.
30                a.   Public notice for all meetings of the full

20250HB0554PN0555                    - 23 -
 1        Commission of meetings shall be given in the same manner
 2        as required under the Rulemaking provisions in Section
 3        12, except that the Commission may hold a special meeting
 4        as provided in subsection F.1.b below.
 5             b.   The Commission may hold a special meeting when it
 6        must meet to conduct emergency business by giving 48
 7        hours' notice to all commissioners, on the Commission's
 8        website, and other means as provided in the Commission's
 9        Rules. The Commission's legal counsel shall certify that
10        the Commission's need to meet qualifies as an emergency.
11        2.   The Commission or the Executive Committee or other
12    committees of the Commission may convene in a closed, non-
13    public meeting for the Commission or Executive Committee or
14    other committees of the Commission to receive legal advice or
15    to discuss:
16             a.   Non-compliance of a Member State with its
17        obligations under the Compact;
18             b.   The employment, compensation, discipline or other
19        matters, practices or procedures related to specific
20        employees;
21             c.   Current or threatened discipline of a Licensee by
22        the Commission or by a Member State's Licensing
23        Authority;
24             d.   Current, threatened, or reasonably anticipated
25        litigation;
26             e.   Negotiation of contracts for the purchase, lease,
27        or sale of goods, services, or real estate;
28             f.   Accusing any person of a crime or formally
29        censuring any person;
30             g.   Trade secrets or commercial or financial

20250HB0554PN0555                 - 24 -
 1         information that is privileged or confidential;
 2              h.   Information of a personal nature where disclosure
 3         would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
 4         personal privacy;
 5              i.   Investigative records compiled for law
 6         enforcement purposes;
 7              j.   Information related to any investigative reports
 8         prepared by or on behalf of or for use of the Commission
 9         or other committee charged with responsibility of
10         investigation or determination of compliance issues
11         pursuant to the Compact;
12              k.   Matters specifically exempted from disclosure by
13         federal or Member State law; or
14              l.   Other matters as promulgated by the Commission by
15         Rule.
16         3.   If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed, the
17    presiding officer shall state that the meeting will be closed
18    and reference each relevant exempting provision, and such
19    reference shall be recorded in the minutes.
20         4.   The Commission shall keep minutes that fully and
21    clearly describe all matters discussed in a meeting and shall
22    provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and the
23    reasons therefore, including a description of the views
24    expressed. All documents considered in connection with an
25    action shall be identified in such minutes. All minutes and
26    documents of a closed meeting shall remain under seal,
27    subject to release only by a majority vote of the Commission
28    or order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
29    G.   Financing of the Commission
30         1.   The Commission shall pay, or provide for the payment

20250HB0554PN0555                  - 25 -
 1    of, the reasonable xpenses of its establishment,
 2    organization, and ongoing activities.
 3         2.   The Commission may accept any and all appropriate
 4    revenue sources as provided in subsection C(13).
 5         3.   The Commission may levy on and collect an annual
 6    assessment from each Member State and impose fees on
 7    Licensees of Member States to whom it grants a Multistate
 8    License to cover the cost of the operations and activities of
 9    the Commission and its staff, which must be in a total amount
10    sufficient to cover its annual budget as approved each year
11    for which revenue is not provided by other sources. The
12    aggregate annual assessment amount for Member States shall be
13    allocated based upon a formula that the Commission shall
14    promulgate by Rule.
15         4.   The Commission shall not incur obligations of any
16    kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same;
17    nor shall the Commission pledge the credit of any of the
18    Member States, except by and with the authority of the Member
19    State.
20         5.   The Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all
21    receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of
22    the Commission shall be subject to the financial review and
23    accounting procedures established under its bylaws. However,
24    all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the
25    Commission shall be subject to an annual financial review by
26    a certified or licensed public accountant, and the report of
27    the financial review shall be included in and become part of
28    the annual report of the Commission.
29    H.   Qualified Immunity, Defense, and Indemnification
30         1.   The members, officers, executive director, employees

20250HB0554PN0555                 - 26 -
 1    and representatives of the Commission shall be immune from
 2    suit and liability, both personally and in their official
 3    capacity, for any claim for damage to or loss of property or
 4    personal injury or other civil liability caused by or arising
 5    out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that
 6    occurred, or that the person against whom the claim is made
 7    had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the
 8    scope of Commission employment, duties or responsibilities;
 9    provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to
10    protect any such person from suit or liability for any
11    damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional
12    or willful or wanton misconduct of that person. The
13    procurement of insurance of any type by the Commission shall
14    not in any way compromise or limit the immunity granted
15    hereunder.
16        2.   The Commission shall defend any member, officer,
17    executive director, employee, and representative of the
18    Commission in any civil action seeking to impose liability
19    arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission
20    that occurred within the scope of Commission employment,
21    duties, or responsibilities, or as determined by the
22    Commission that the person against whom the claim is made had
23    a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of
24    Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided
25    that nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit that
26    person from retaining their own counsel at their own expense;
27    and provided further, that the actual or alleged act, error,
28    or omission did not result from that person's intentional or
29    willful or wanton misconduct.
30        3.   The Commission shall indemnify and hold harmless any

20250HB0554PN0555                - 27 -
 1      member, officer, executive director, employee, and
 2      representative of the Commission for the amount of any
 3      settlement or judgment obtained against that person arising
 4      out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that
 5      occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties,
 6      or responsibilities, or that such person had a reasonable
 7      basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission
 8      employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the
 9      actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from
10      the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that
11      person.
12             4.   Nothing herein shall be construed as a limitation on
13      the liability of any Licensee for professional malpractice or
14      misconduct, which shall be governed solely by any other
15      applicable State laws.
16             5.   Nothing in this Compact shall be interpreted to waive
17      or otherwise abrogate a Member State's state action immunity
18      or state action affirmative defense with respect to antitrust
19      claims under the Sherman Act, Clayton Act, or any other State
20      or federal antitrust or anticompetitive law or regulation.
21             6.   Nothing in this Compact shall be construed to be a
22      waiver of sovereign immunity by the Member States or by the
23      Commission.
24   SECTION 11.     DATA SYSTEM
25      A.     The Commission shall provide for the development,
26   maintenance, operation, and utilization of a coordinated Data
27   System.
28      B.     The Commission shall assign each applicant for a
29   Multistate License a unique identifier, as determined by the
30   Rules of the Commission.

20250HB0554PN0555                     - 28 -
 1      C.   Notwithstanding any other provision of State law to the
 2   contrary, a Member State shall submit a uniform data set to the
 3   Data System on all individuals to whom this Compact is
 4   applicable as required by the Rules of the Commission,
 5   including:
 6           1.   Identifying information;
 7           2.   Licensure data;
 8           3.   Adverse Actions against a license and information
 9      related thereto;
10           4.   Non-confidential information related to Alternative
11      Program participation, the beginning and ending dates of such
12      participation, and other information related to such
13      participation not made confidential under Member State law;
14           5.   Any denial of application for licensure, and the
15      reason(s) for such denial;
16           6.   The presence of Current Significant Investigative
17      Information; and
18           7.   Other information that may facilitate the
19      administration of this Compact or the protection of the
20      public, as determined by the Rules of the Commission.
21      D.   The records and information provided to a Member State
22   pursuant to this Compact or through the Data System, when
23   certified by the Commission or an agent thereof, shall
24   constitute the authenticated business records of the Commission,
25   and shall be entitled to any associated hearsay exception in any
26   relevant judicial, quasi-judicial or administrative proceedings
27   in a Member State.
28      E.   Current Significant Investigative Information pertaining
29   to a Licensee in any Member State will only be available to
30   other Member States.

20250HB0554PN0555                    - 29 -
 1             1.   It is the responsibility of the Member States to
 2      report any Adverse Action against a Licensee and to monitor
 3      the database to determine whether Adverse Action has been
 4      taken against a Licensee. Adverse Action information
 5      pertaining to a Licensee in any Member State will be
 6      available to any other Member State.
 7      F.     Member States contributing information to the Data System
 8   may designate information that may not be shared with the public
 9   without the express permission of the contributing State.
10      G.     Any information submitted to the Data System that is
11   subsequently expunged pursuant to federal law or the laws of the
12   Member State contributing the information shall be removed from
13   the Data System.
14   SECTION 12.     RULEMAKING
15      A.     The Commission shall promulgate reasonable Rules in order
16   to effectively and efficiently implement and administer the
17   purposes and provisions of the Compact. A Rule shall be invalid
18   and have no force or effect only if a court of competent
19   jurisdiction holds that the Rule is invalid because the
20   Commission exercised its rulemaking authority in a manner that
21   is beyond the scope and purposes of the Compact, or the powers
22   granted hereunder, or based upon another applicable standard of
23   review.
24      B.     The Rules of the Commission shall have the force of law
25   in each Member State, provided however that where the Rules of
26   the Commission conflict with the laws of the Member State that
27   establish the Member State's laws, regulations, and applicable
28   standards that govern the practice of Social Work as held by a
29   court of competent jurisdiction, the Rules of the Commission
30   shall be ineffective in that State to the extent of the

20250HB0554PN0555                     - 30 -
 1   conflict.
 2      C.    The Commission shall exercise its Rulemaking powers
 3   pursuant to the criteria set forth in this Section and the Rules
 4   adopted thereunder. Rules shall become binding on the day
 5   following adoption or the date specified in the rule or
 6   amendment, whichever is later.
 7      D.    If a majority of the legislatures of the Member States
 8   rejects a Rule or portion of a Rule, by enactment of a statute
 9   or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the Compact
10   within four (4) years of the date of adoption of the Rule, then
11   such Rule shall have no further force and effect in any Member
12   State.
13      E.    Rules shall be adopted at a regular or special meeting of
14   the Commission.
15      F.    Prior to adoption of a proposed Rule, the Commission
16   shall hold a public hearing and allow persons to provide oral
17   and written comments, data, facts, opinions, and arguments.
18      G.    Prior to adoption of a proposed Rule by the Commission,
19   and at least thirty (30) days in advance of the meeting at which
20   the Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed Rule,
21   the Commission shall provide a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking:
22            1.   On the website of the Commission or other publicly
23      accessible platform;
24            2.   To persons who have requested notice of the
25      Commission's notices of proposed rulemaking; and
26            3.   In such other way(s) as the Commission may by Rule
27      specify.
28      H.    The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking shall include:
29            1.   The time, date, and location of the public hearing at
30      which the Commission will hear public comments on the

20250HB0554PN0555                    - 31 -
 1      proposed Rule and, if different, the time, date, and location
 2      of the meeting where the Commission will consider and vote on
 3      the proposed Rule;
 4           2.   If the hearing is held via telecommunication, video
 5      conference, or other electronic means, the Commission shall
 6      include the mechanism for access to the hearing in the Notice
 7      of Proposed Rulemaking;
 8           3.   The text of the proposed Rule and the reason
 9      therefor;
10           4.   A request for comments on the proposed Rule from any
11      interested person; and
12           5.   The manner in which interested persons may submit
13      written comments.
14      I.   All hearings will be recorded. A copy of the recording
15   and all written comments and documents received by the
16   Commission in response to the proposed Rule shall be available
17   to the public.
18      J.   Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a
19   separate hearing on each Rule. Rules may be grouped for the
20   convenience of the Commission at hearings required by this
21   section.
22      K.   The Commission shall, by majority vote of all members,
23   take final action on the proposed Rule based on the Rulemaking
24   record and the full text of the Rule.
25           1.   The Commission may adopt changes to the proposed Rule
26      provided the changes do not enlarge the original purpose of
27      the proposed Rule.
28           2.   The Commission shall provide an explanation of the
29      reasons for substantive changes made to the proposed Rule as
30      well as reasons for substantive changes not made that were

20250HB0554PN0555                   - 32 -
 1      recommended by commenters.
 2           3.    The Commission shall determine a reasonable effective
 3      date for the Rule. Except for an emergency as provided in
 4      Section 12.L, the effective date of the rule shall be no
 5      sooner than 30 days after issuing the notice that it adopted
 6      or amended the Rule.
 7      L.   Upon determination that an emergency exists, the
 8   Commission may consider and adopt an emergency Rule with 48
 9   hours' notice, with opportunity to comment, provided that the
10   usual Rulemaking procedures provided in the Compact and in this
11   section shall be retroactively applied to the Rule as soon as
12   reasonably possible, in no event later than ninety (90) days
13   after the effective date of the Rule. For the purposes of this
14   provision, an emergency Rule is one that must be adopted
15   immediately in order to:
16           1.    Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety, or
17      welfare;
18           2.    Prevent a loss of Commission or Member State funds;
19           3.    Meet a deadline for the promulgation of a Rule that
20      is established by federal law or rule; or
21           4.    Protect public health and safety.
22      M.   The Commission or an authorized committee of the
23   Commission may direct revisions to a previously adopted Rule for
24   purposes of correcting typographical errors, errors in format,
25   errors in consistency, or grammatical errors. Public notice of
26   any revisions shall be posted on the website of the Commission.
27   The revision shall be subject to challenge by any person for a
28   period of thirty (30) days after posting. The revision may be
29   challenged only on grounds that the revision results in a
30   material change to a Rule. A challenge shall be made in writing

20250HB0554PN0555                    - 33 -
 1   and delivered to the Commission prior to the end of the notice
 2   period. If no challenge is made, the revision will take effect
 3   without further action. If the revision is challenged, the
 4   revision may not take effect without the approval of the
 5   Commission.
 6      N.   No Member State's rulemaking requirements shall apply
 7   under this compact.
 8   SECTION 13.    OVERSIGHT, DISPUTE RESOLUTION, AND ENFORCEMENT
 9      A.   Oversight
10   

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