SB 583 — 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.   590

                   THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                       SENATE BILL
                       No. 583
                                              Session of
                                                2025

     INTRODUCED BY PENNYCUICK, FONTANA, SAVAL, ARGALL, VOGEL,
        PISCIOTTANO, COLEMAN, KIM, ROTHMAN, SCHWANK, COMITTA AND
        MILLER, APRIL 9, 2025

     REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE,
        APRIL 9, 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
17      The purpose of this Compact is to facilitate interstate
 1   practice of Regulated Social Workers by improving public access
 2   to competent Social Work Services. The Compact preserves the
 3   regulatory authority of States to protect public health and
 4   safety through the current system of State licensure.
 5      This Compact is designed to achieve the following objectives:
 6           A.   Increase public access to Social Work Services;
 7           B.   Reduce overly burdensome and duplicative requirements
 8      associated with holding multiple licenses;
 9           C.   Enhance the Member States' ability to protect the
10      public's health and safety;
11           D.   Encourage the cooperation of Member States in
12      regulating multistate practice;
13           E.   Promote mobility and address workforce shortages by
14      eliminating the necessity for licenses in multiple States by
15      providing for the mutual recognition of other Member State
16      licenses;
17           F.   Support military families;
18           G.   Facilitate the exchange of licensure and disciplinary
19      information among Member States;
20           H.   Authorize all Member States to hold a Regulated
21      Social Worker accountable for abiding by a Member State's
22      laws, regulations, and applicable professional standards in
23      the Member State in which the client is located at the time
24      care is rendered; and
25           I.   Allow for the use of telehealth to facilitate
26      increased access to regulated Social Work Services.
27   SECTION 2.   DEFINITIONS
28      As used in this Compact, and except as otherwise provided,
29   the following definitions shall apply:
30      A.   "Active Military Member" means any individual with full-

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

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

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

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 1   in any Member State.
 2      X.   "Social Work" or "Social Work Services" means the
 3   application of social work theory, knowledge, methods, ethics,
 4   and the professional use of self to restore or enhance social,
 5   psychosocial, or biopsychosocial functioning of individuals,
 6   couples, families, groups, organizations, and communities
 7   through the care and services provided by a Regulated Social
 8   Worker as set forth in the Member State's statutes and
 9   regulations in the State where the services are being provided.
10      Y.   "State" means any state, commonwealth, district, or
11   territory of the United States of America that regulates the
12   practice of Social Work.
13      Z.   "Unencumbered License" means a license that authorizes a
14   Regulated Social Worker to engage in the full and unrestricted
15   practice of Social Work.
16   SECTION 3.   STATE PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPACT
17      A.   To be eligible to participate in the compact, a potential
18   Member State must currently meet all of the following criteria:
19           1.   License and regulate the practice of Social Work at
20      either the clinical, master's, or bachelor's category.
21           2.   Require applicants for licensure to graduate from a
22      program that is:
23                a.   Operated by a college or university recognized by
24           the Licensing Authority;
25                b.   Accredited, or in candidacy by an institution
26           that subsequently becomes accredited, by an accrediting
27           agency recognized by either:
28                     i.    the Council for Higher Education
29                Accreditation, or its successor; or
30                     ii.   the United States Department of Education;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

20250SB0583PN0590                  - 20 -
 1        12.     Assess and collect fees;
 2        13.     Accept any and all appropriate gifts, donations,
 3    grants of money, other sources of revenue, equipment,
 4    supplies, materials, and services, and receive, utilize, and
 5    dispose of the same; provided that at all times the
 6    Commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety or
 7    conflict of interest;
 8        14.     Lease, purchase, retain, own, hold, improve, or use
 9    any property, real, personal, or mixed, or any undivided
10    interest therein;
11        15.     Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange,
12    abandon, or otherwise dispose of any property real, personal,
13    or mixed;
14        16.     Establish a budget and make expenditures;
15        17.     Borrow money;
16        18.     Appoint committees, including standing committees,
17    composed of members, State regulators, State legislators or
18    their representatives, and consumer representatives, and such
19    other interested persons as may be designated in this Compact
20    and the bylaws;
21        19.     Provide and receive information from, and cooperate
22    with, law enforcement agencies;
23        20.     Establish and elect an Executive Committee,
24    including a chair and a vice chair;
25        21.     Determine whether a State's adopted language is
26    materially different from the model compact language such
27    that the State would not qualify for participation in the
28    Compact; and
29        22.     Perform such other functions as may be necessary or
30    appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Compact.

20250SB0583PN0590                  - 21 -
 1    D.   The Executive Committee
 2         1.    The Executive Committee shall have the power to act
 3    on behalf of the Commission according to the terms of this
 4    Compact. The powers, duties, and responsibilities of the
 5    Executive Committee shall include:
 6               a.   Oversee the day-to-day activities of the
 7         administration of the compact including enforcement and
 8         compliance with the provisions of the compact, its Rules
 9         and bylaws, and other such duties as deemed necessary;
10               b.   Recommend to the Commission changes to the Rules
11         or bylaws, changes to this Compact legislation, fees
12         charged to Compact Member States, fees charged to
13         Licensees, and other fees;
14               c.   Ensure Compact administration services are
15         appropriately provided, including by contract;
16               d.   Prepare and recommend the budget;
17               e.   Maintain financial records on behalf of the
18         Commission;
19               f.   Monitor Compact compliance of Member States and
20         provide compliance reports to the Commission;
21               g.   Establish additional committees as necessary;
22               h.   Exercise the powers and duties of the Commission
23         during the interim between Commission meetings, except
24         for adopting or amending Rules, adopting or amending
25         bylaws, and exercising any other powers and duties
26         expressly reserved to the Commission by Rule or bylaw;
27         and
28               i.   Other duties as provided in the Rules or bylaws
29         of the Commission.
30         2.    The Executive Committee shall be composed of up to

20250SB0583PN0590                   - 22 -
 1      eleven (11) members:
 2                a.   The chair and vice chair of the Commission shall
 3           be voting members of the Executive Committee; and
 4                b.   The Commission shall elect five voting members
 5           from the current membership of the Commission.
 6                c.   Up to four (4) ex officio, nonvoting members from
 7           four (4) recognized national Social Work organizations.
 8                d.   The ex officio members will be selected by their
 9           respective organizations.
10           3.   The Commission may remove any member of the Executive
11      Committee as provided in the Commission's bylaws.
12           4.   The Executive Committee shall meet at least annually.
13                a.   Executive Committee meetings shall be open to the
14           public, except that the Executive Committee may meet in a
15           closed, non-public meeting as provided in subsection F.2
16           below.
17                b.   The Executive Committee shall give seven (7)
18           days' notice of its meetings, posted on its website and
19           as determined to provide notice to persons with an
20           interest in the business of the Commission.
21                c.   The Executive Committee may hold a special
22           meeting in accordance with subsection F.1.b. below.
23      E.   The Commission shall adopt and provide to the Member
24   States an annual report.
25      F.   Meetings of the Commission
26           1.   All meetings shall be open to the public, except that
27      the Commission may meet in a closed, non-public meeting as
28      provided in subsection F.2 below.
29                a.   Public notice for all meetings of the full
30           Commission of meetings shall be given in the same manner

20250SB0583PN0590                    - 23 -
 1        as required under the Rulemaking provisions in Section
 2        12, except that the Commission may hold a special meeting
 3        as provided in subsection F.1.b below.
 4             b.   The Commission may hold a special meeting when it
 5        must meet to conduct emergency business by giving 48
 6        hours' notice to all commissioners, on the Commission's
 7        website, and other means as provided in the Commission's
 8        Rules. The Commission's legal counsel shall certify that
 9        the Commission's need to meet qualifies as an emergency.
10        2.   The Commission or the Executive Committee or other
11    committees of the Commission may convene in a closed, non-
12    public meeting for the Commission or Executive Committee or
13    other committees of the Commission to receive legal advice or
14    to discuss:
15             a.   Non-compliance of a Member State with its
16        obligations under the Compact;
17             b.   The employment, compensation, discipline or other
18        matters, practices or procedures related to specific
19        employees;
20             c.   Current or threatened discipline of a Licensee by
21        the Commission or by a Member State's Licensing
22        Authority;
23             d.   Current, threatened, or reasonably anticipated
24        litigation;
25             e.   Negotiation of contracts for the purchase, lease,
26        or sale of goods, services, or real estate;
27             f.   Accusing any person of a crime or formally
28        censuring any person;
29             g.   Trade secrets or commercial or financial
30        information that is privileged or confidential;

20250SB0583PN0590                 - 24 -
 1              h.   Information of a personal nature where disclosure
 2         would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
 3         personal privacy;
 4              i.   Investigative records compiled for law
 5         enforcement purposes;
 6              j.   Information related to any investigative reports
 7         prepared by or on behalf of or for use of the Commission
 8         or other committee charged with responsibility of
 9         investigation or determination of compliance issues
10         pursuant to the Compact;
11              k.   Matters specifically exempted from disclosure by
12         federal or Member State law; or
13              l.   Other matters as promulgated by the Commission by
14         Rule.
15         3.   If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed, the
16    presiding officer shall state that the meeting will be closed
17    and reference each relevant exempting provision, and such
18    reference shall be recorded in the minutes.
19         4.   The Commission shall keep minutes that fully and
20    clearly describe all matters discussed in a meeting and shall
21    provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and the
22    reasons therefore, including a description of the views
23    expressed. All documents considered in connection with an
24    action shall be identified in such minutes. All minutes and
25    documents of a closed meeting shall remain under seal,
26    subject to release only by a majority vote of the Commission
27    or order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
28    G.   Financing of the Commission
29         1.   The Commission shall pay, or provide for the payment
30    of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment,

20250SB0583PN0590                  - 25 -
 1    organization, and ongoing activities.
 2         2.   The Commission may accept any and all appropriate
 3    revenue sources as provided in subsection C(13).
 4         3.   The Commission may levy on and collect an annual
 5    assessment from each Member State and impose fees on
 6    Licensees of Member States to whom it grants a Multistate
 7    License to cover the cost of the operations and activities of
 8    the Commission and its staff, which must be in a total amount
 9    sufficient to cover its annual budget as approved each year
10    for which revenue is not provided by other sources. The
11    aggregate annual assessment amount for Member States shall be
12    allocated based upon a formula that the Commission shall
13    promulgate by Rule.
14         4.   The Commission shall not incur obligations of any
15    kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same;
16    nor shall the Commission pledge the credit of any of the
17    Member States, except by and with the authority of the Member
18    State.
19         5.   The Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all
20    receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of
21    the Commission shall be subject to the financial review and
22    accounting procedures established under its bylaws. However,
23    all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the
24    Commission shall be subject to an annual financial review by
25    a certified or licensed public accountant, and the report of
26    the financial review shall be included in and become part of
27    the annual report of the Commission.
28    H.   Qualified Immunity, Defense, and Indemnification
29         1.   The members, officers, executive director, employees
30    and representatives of the Commission shall be immune from

20250SB0583PN0590                 - 26 -
 1    suit and liability, both personally and in their official
 2    capacity, for any claim for damage to or loss of property or
 3    personal injury or other civil liability caused by or arising
 4    out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that
 5    occurred, or that the person against whom the claim is made
 6    had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the
 7    scope of Commission employment, duties or responsibilities;
 8    provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to
 9    protect any such person from suit or liability for any
10    damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional
11    or willful or wanton misconduct of that person. The
12    procurement of insurance of any type by the Commission shall
13    not in any way compromise or limit the immunity granted
14    hereunder.
15        2.   The Commission shall defend any member, officer,
16    executive director, employee, and representative of the
17    Commission in any civil action seeking to impose liability
18    arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission
19    that occurred within the scope of Commission employment,
20    duties, or responsibilities, or as determined by the
21    Commission that the person against whom the claim is made had
22    a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of
23    Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided
24    that nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit that
25    person from retaining their own counsel at their own expense;
26    and provided further, that the actual or alleged act, error,
27    or omission did not result from that person's intentional or
28    willful or wanton misconduct.
29        3.   The Commission shall indemnify and hold harmless any
30    member, officer, executive director, employee, and

20250SB0583PN0590                - 27 -
 1      representative of the Commission for the amount of any
 2      settlement or judgment obtained against that person arising
 3      out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that
 4      occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties,
 5      or responsibilities, or that such person had a reasonable
 6      basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission
 7      employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the
 8      actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from
 9      the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that
10      person.
11             4.   Nothing herein shall be construed as a limitation on
12      the liability of any Licensee for professional malpractice or
13      misconduct, which shall be governed solely by any other
14      applicable State laws.
15             5.   Nothing in this Compact shall be interpreted to waive
16      or otherwise abrogate a Member State's state action immunity
17      or state action affirmative defense with respect to antitrust
18      claims under the Sherman Act, Clayton Act, or any other State
19      or federal antitrust or anticompetitive law or regulation.
20             6.   Nothing in this Compact shall be construed to be a
21      waiver of sovereign immunity by the Member States or by the
22      Commission.
23   SECTION 11.     DATA SYSTEM
24      A.     The Commission shall provide for the development,
25   maintenance, operation, and utilization of a coordinated Data
26   System.
27      B.     The Commission shall assign each applicant for a
28   Multistate License a unique identifier, as determined by the
29   Rules of the Commission.
30      C.     Notwithstanding any other provision of State law to the

20250SB0583PN0590                     - 28 -
 1   contrary, a Member State shall submit a uniform data set to the
 2   Data System on all individuals to whom this Compact is
 3   applicable as required by the Rules of the Commission,
 4   including:
 5           1.   Identifying information;
 6           2.   Licensure data;
 7           3.   Adverse Actions against a license and information
 8      related thereto;
 9           4.   Non-confidential information related to Alternative
10      Program participation, the beginning and ending dates of such
11      participation, and other information related to such
12      participation not made confidential under Member State law;
13           5.   Any denial of application for licensure, and the
14      reason(s) for such denial;
15           6.   The presence of Current Significant Investigative
16      Information; and
17           7.   Other information that may facilitate the
18      administration of this Compact or the protection of the
19      public, as determined by the Rules of the Commission.
20      D.   The records and information provided to a Member State
21   pursuant to this Compact or through the Data System, when
22   certified by the Commission or an agent thereof, shall
23   constitute the authenticated business records of the Commission,
24   and shall be entitled to any associated hearsay exception in any
25   relevant judicial, quasi-judicial or administrative proceedings
26   in a Member State.
27      E.   Current Significant Investigative Information pertaining
28   to a Licensee in any Member State will only be available to
29   other Member States.
30           1.   It is the responsibility of the Member States to

20250SB0583PN0590                    - 29 -
 1      report any Adverse Action against a Licensee and to monitor
 2      the database to determine whether Adverse Action has been
 3      taken against a Licensee. Adverse Action information
 4      pertaining to a Licensee in any Member State will be
 5      available to any other Member State.
 6      F.     Member States contributing information to the Data System
 7   may designate information that may not be shared with the public
 8   without the express permission of the contributing State.
 9      G.     Any information submitted to the Data System that is
10   subsequently expunged pursuant to federal law or the laws of the
11   Member State contributing the information shall be removed from
12   the Data System.
13   SECTION 12.    RULEMAKING
14      A.     The Commission shall promulgate reasonable Rules in order
15   to effectively and efficiently implement and administer the
16   purposes and provisions of the Compact. A Rule shall be invalid
17   and have no force or effect only if a court of competent
18   jurisdiction holds that the Rule is invalid because the
19   Commission exercised its rulemaking authority in a manner that
20   is beyond the scope and purposes of the Compact, or the powers
21   granted hereunder, or based upon another applicable standard of
22   review.
23      B.     The Rules of the Commission shall have the force of law
24   in each Member State, provided however that where the Rules of
25   the Commission conflict with the laws of the Member State that
26   establish the Member State's laws, regulations, and applicable
27   standards that govern the practice of Social Work as held by a
28   court of competent jurisdiction, the Rules of the Commission
29   shall be ineffective in that State to the extent of the
30   conflict.

20250SB0583PN0590                    - 30 -
 1      C.    The Commission shall exercise its Rulemaking powers
 2   pursuant to the criteria set forth in this Section and the Rules
 3   adopted thereunder. Rules shall become binding on the day
 4   following adoption or the date specified in the rule or
 5   amendment, whichever is later.
 6      D.    If a majority of the legislatures of the Member States
 7   rejects a Rule or portion of a Rule, by enactment of a statute
 8   or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the Compact
 9   within four (4) years of the date of adoption of the Rule, then
10   such Rule shall have no further force and effect in any Member
11   State.
12      E.    Rules shall be adopted at a regular or special meeting of
13   the Commission.
14      F.    Prior to adoption of a proposed Rule, the Commission
15   shall hold a public hearing and allow persons to provide oral
16   and written comments, data, facts, opinions, and arguments.
17      G.    Prior to adoption of a proposed Rule by the Commission,
18   and at least thirty (30) days in advance of the meeting at which
19   the Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed Rule,
20   the Commission shall provide a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking:
21            1.   On the website of the Commission or other publicly
22      accessible platform;
23            2.   To persons who have requested notice of the
24      Commission's notices of proposed rulemaking; and
25            3.   In such other way(s) as the Commission may by Rule
26      specify.
27      H.    The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking shall include:
28            1.   The time, date, and location of the public hearing at
29      which the Commission will hear public comments on the
30      proposed Rule and, if different, the time, date, and location

20250SB0583PN0590                    - 31 -
 1      of the meeting where the Commission will consider and vote on
 2      the proposed Rule;
 3           2.   If the hearing is held via telecommunication, video
 4      conference, or other electronic means, the Commission shall
 5      include the mechanism for access to the hearing in the Notice
 6      of Proposed Rulemaking;
 7           3.   The text of the proposed Rule and the reason
 8      therefor;
 9           4.   A request for comments on the proposed Rule from any
10      interested person; and
11           5.   The manner in which interested persons may submit
12      written comments.
13      I.   All hearings will be recorded. A copy of the recording
14   and all written comments and documents received by the
15   Commission in response to the proposed Rule shall be available
16   to the public.
17      J.   Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a
18   separate hearing on each Rule. Rules may be grouped for the
19   convenience of the Commission at hearings required by this
20   section.
21      K.   The Commission shall, by majority vote of all members,
22   take final action on the proposed Rule based on the Rulemaking
23   record and the full text of the Rule.
24           1.   The Commission may adopt changes to the proposed Rule
25      provided the changes do not enlarge the original purpose of
26      the proposed Rule.
27           2.   The Commission shall provide an explanation of the
28      reasons for substantive changes made to the proposed Rule as
29      well as reasons for substantive changes not made that were
30      recommended by commenters.

20250SB0583PN0590                    - 32 -
 1           3.    The Commission shall determine a reasonable effective
 2      date for the Rule. Except for an emergency as provided in
 3      Section 12.L, the effective date of the rule shall be no
 4      sooner than 30 days after issuing the notice that it adopted
 5      or amended the Rule.
 6      L.   Upon determination that an emergency exists, the
 7   Commission may consider and adopt an emergency Rule with 48
 8   hours' notice, with opportunity to comment, provided that the
 9   usual Rulemaking procedures provided in the Compact and in this
10   section shall be retroactively applied to the Rule as soon as
11   reasonably possible, in no event later than ninety (90) days
12   after the effective date of the Rule. For the purposes of this
13   provision, an emergency Rule is one that must be adopted
14   immediately in order to:
15           1.    Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety, or
16      welfare;
17           2.    Prevent a loss of Commission or Member State funds;
18           3.    Meet a deadline for the promulgation of a Rule that
19      is established by federal law or rule; or
20           4.    Protect public health and safety.
21      M.   The Commission or an authorized committee of the
22   Commission may direct revisions to a previously adopted Rule for
23   purposes of correcting typographical errors, errors in format,
24   errors in consistency, or grammatical errors. Public notice of
25   any revisions shall be posted on the website of the Commission.
26   The revision shall be subject to challenge by any person for a
27   period of thirty (30) days after posting. The revision may be
28   challenged only on grounds that the revision results in a
29   material change to a Rule. A challenge shall be made in writing
30   and delivered to the Commission prior to the end of the notice

20250SB0583PN0590                    - 33 -
 1   period. If no challenge is made, the revision will take effect
 2   without further action. If the revision is challenged, the
 3   revision may not take effect without the approval of the
 4   Commission.
 5      N.   No Member State's rulemaking requirements shall apply
 6   under this compact.
 7   SECTION 13.    OVERSIGHT, DISPUTE RESOLUTION, AND ENFORCEMENT
 8      A.   Oversight
 9           1.    The executive and judicial branches of State
10      government in each Member State shall enforce this C

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