§ 34-34B-11 — Oversight, Dispute Resolution, and Enforcement

Alabama § 34-34B-11

• Jurisdiction: Alabama
• Title 34: Professions and Businesses
• Ch. 34B: Dietitian Licensure Compact

Text

(a) Oversight.
(1) The executive and judicial branches of state government in each member state shall enforce this compact and take all actions necessary and appropriate to implement this compact.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in this compact, venue is proper and judicial proceedings by or against the compact commission shall be brought solely and exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction where the principal office of the compact commission is located. The compact commission may waive venue and jurisdictional defenses to the extent it adopts or consents to participate in alternative dispute resolution proceedings. Nothing in this section shall affect or limit the selection or propriety of venue in any action against a licensee for professional malpractice, misconduct, or any similar matter.
(3) The compact commission shall be entitled to receive service of process in any proceeding regarding the enforcement or interpretation of the compact and shall have standing to intervene in such a proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide the compact commission service of process shall render a judgment or order void as to the compact commission, this compact, or adopted rules.
(b) Default, technical assistance, and termination.
(1) If the compact commission determines that a member state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this compact or the adopted rules, the compact commission shall provide written notice to the defaulting state. The notice of default shall describe the default, the proposed means of curing the default, and any other action that the compact commission may take, and shall offer training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.
(2) The compact commission shall provide a copy of the notice of default to the other member states.
(c) If a state in default fails to cure the default, the defaulting state may be terminated from the compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the delegates of the member states, and all rights, privileges, and benefits conferred on that state by this compact may be terminated on the effective date of termination. A cure of the default does not relieve the offending state of obligations or liabilities incurred during the period of default.
(d) Termination of membership in the compact shall be imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate shall be given by the compact commission to the governor, the majority and minority leaders of the defaulting state’s legislature, the defaulting state’s licensing authority, and each of the member states’ licensing authority.
(e) A state that has been terminated is responsible for all assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the effective date of termination, including obligations that extend beyond the effective date of termination.
(f) Upon the termination of a state’s membership from this compact, that state shall immediately provide notice to all licensees within that state of such termination. The terminated state shall continue to recognize all compact privileges granted pursuant to this compact for a minimum of six months after the date of the notice of termination.
(g) The compact commission shall not bear any costs related to a state that is found to be in default or that has been terminated from the compact, unless agreed upon in writing between the compact commission and the defaulting state.
(h) The defaulting state may appeal the action of the compact commission by petitioning the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the compact commission has its principal offices. The prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of litigation, including reasonable attorney fees.
(i) Dispute resolution.
(1) Upon request by a member state, the compact commission shall attempt to resolve disputes related to the compact that arise among member states and between member and non-member states.
(2) The compact commission shall adopt a rule providing for both mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes as appropriate.
(j) Enforcement.
(1) By supermajority vote, the compact commission may initiate legal action against a member state in default in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the compact commission has its principal offices to enforce compliance with the compact and its adopted rules. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of litigation, including reasonable attorney fees. The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the compact commission. The compact commission may pursue any other remedies available under federal or the defaulting member state’s law.
(2) A member state may initiate legal action against the compact commission in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the compact commission has its principal offices to enforce compliance with the compact and its adopted rules. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney fees.
(3) No party other than a member state shall enforce this compact against the compact commission.

Legislative History

(Act 2024-366, §1.)