Relating to the adoption of the audiology and speech language pathology interstate compact

This bill relates to the adoption of the audiology and speech language pathology interstate compact (compact) in Iowa. The compact becomes effective upon enactment into law by compacting states. The compact requires members to, upon application, authorize audiologists and speech language pathologists to practice in the state if the audiologist or speech language pathologist is licensed to practice audiology or speech language pathology in that person’s state of residence, referred to in the compact as the person’s “home state”. The compact grants member states the ability to take certain adverse actions against audiologists and speech language pathologists practicing under a compact privilege, in addition to the state’s other disciplinary abilities. The compact creates the audiology and speech language pathology compact commission (commission) as an instrumentality of the compact states. Venue is proper with respect to the commission only in a court of competent jurisdiction where the principal office of the commission is located. The compact does not waive sovereign immunity. The compact includes provisions relating to the establishment and membership of the commission; the powers of the commission; meetings and voting requirements of the commission; commission bylaws; rules; commission committees; finance; records of the commission; compacting state compliance; venue for judicial proceedings; qualified immunity, defense, and indemnification; effective dates and amendments to the compact; withdrawal, default, and expulsion; severability and construction; and the binding effect of the compact and other laws. The compact requires the commission to provide for the development, maintenance, and utilization of a coordinated database and reporting system containing identifying information, licensure data, adverse actions, nonconfidential information related to alternative program participation, any denial of application for licensure, and other information as determined by rules.