Enacting the social work licensure compact

This bill establishes the social work licensure compact. The compact establishes a system whereby a social worker licensed to practice in one member state may practice in another member state under a multistate license without applying for a license in that state. The compact imposes certain minimum requirements on the licensure of social workers in member states. The compact creates a commission to administer the operation of the compact. The commission is an instrumentality of the member states. The compact includes provisions relating to the establishment and membership of the commission; powers of the commission, meetings and voting requirements of the commission; commission bylaws and rules; commission committees; commission finances; the establishment of a licensure data system; oversight by member states; compacting state compliance; venue for judicial proceedings; 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 becomes effective upon the adoption of the compact by the seventh participating state.