§ 486.112 — Physical Therapy Licensure Compact

Florida § 486.112

• Jurisdiction: Florida
• Title: XXXII
• Ch. 486: PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE

Text

The Physical Therapy Licensure Compact is hereby enacted into law and entered into by this state with all other jurisdictions legally joining therein in the form substantially as follows:

ARTICLE I

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

(1) The purpose of the compact is to facilitate interstate practice of physical therapy with the goal of improving public access to physical therapy services. The compact preserves the regulatory authority of member states to protect public health and safety through their current systems of state licensure. For purposes of state regulation under the compact, the practice of physical therapy is deemed to have occurred in the state where the patient is located at the time physical therapy is provided to the patient.

(2) The compact is designed to achieve all of the following objectives:

(a) Increase public access to physical therapy services by providing for the mutual recognition of other member state licenses.

(b) Enhance the states’ ability to protect the public’s health and safety.

(c) Encourage the cooperation of member states in regulating multistate physical therapy practice.

(d) Support spouses of relocating military members.

(e) Enhance the exchange of licensure, investigative, and disciplinary information between member states.

(f) Allow a remote state to hold a provider of services with a compact privilege in that state accountable to that state’s practice standards.

ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

As used in the compact, and except as otherwise provided, the term:

(1) “Active duty military” means full-time duty status in the active uniformed service of the United States, including members of the National Guard and Reserve on active duty orders pursuant to 10 U.S.C. chapter 1209 or chapter 1211.

(2) “Adverse action” means disciplinary action taken by a physical therapy licensing board based upon misconduct, unacceptable performance, or a combination of both.

(3) “Alternative program” means a nondisciplinary monitoring or practice remediation process approved by a state’s physical therapy licensing board. The term includes, but is not limited to, programs that address substance abuse issues.

(4) “Compact privilege” means the authorization granted by a remote state to allow a licensee from another member state to practice as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant in the remote state under its laws and rules.

(5) “Continuing competence” means a requirement, as a condition of license renewal, to provide evidence of participation in, and completion of, educational and professional activities relevant to the practice of physical therapy.

(6) “Data system” means the coordinated database and reporting system created by the Physical Therapy Compact Commission for the exchange of information between member states relating to licensees or applicants under the compact, including identifying information, licensure data, investigative information, adverse actions, nonconfidential information related to alternative program participation, any denials of applications for licensure, and other information as specified by commission rule.

(7) “Encumbered license” means a license that a physical therapy licensing board has limited in any way.

(8) “Executive board” means a group of directors elected or appointed to act on behalf of, and within the powers granted to them by, the commission.

(9) “Home state” means the member state that is the licensee’s primary state of residence.

(10) “Investigative information” means information, records, and documents received or generated by a physical therapy licensing board pursuant to an investigation.

(11) “Jurisprudence requirement” means the assessment of an individual’s knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of physical therapy in a specific state.

(12) “Licensee” means an individual who currently holds an authorization from a state to practice as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant.

(13) “Member state” means a state that has enacted the compact.

(14) “Party state” means any member state in which a licensee holds a current license or compact privilege or is applying for a license or compact privilege.

(15) “Physical therapist” means an individual licensed by a state to practice physical therapy.

(16) “Physical therapist assistant” means an individual licensed by a state to assist a physical therapist in specified areas of physical therapy.

(17) “Physical therapy” or “the practice of physical therapy” means the care and services provided by or under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

(18) “Physical Therapy Compact Commission” or “commission” means the national administrative body whose membership consists of all states that have enacted the compact.

(19) “Physical therapy licensing board” means the agency of a state which is responsible for the licensing and regulation of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.

(20) “Remote state” means a member state other than the home state where a licensee is exercising or seeking to exercise the compact privilege.

(21) “Rule” means a regulation, principle, or directive adopted by the commission which has the force of law.

(22) “State” means any state, commonwealth, district, or territory of the United States of America which regulates the practice of physical therapy.

ARTICLE III

STATE PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPACT

(1) To participate in the compact, a state must do all of the following:

(a) Participate fully in the commission’s data system, including using the commission’s unique identifier, as defined by commission rule.

(b) Have a mechanism in place for receiving and investigating complaints about licensees.

(c) Notify the commission, in accordance with the terms of the compact and rules, of any adverse action or the availability of investigative information regarding a licensee.

(d) Fully implement a criminal background check requirement, within a timeframe established by commission rule, which uses results from the Federal Bureau of Investigation record search on criminal background checks to make licensure decisions in accordance with subsection (2).

(e) Comply with the commission’s rules.

(f) Use a recognized national examination as a requirement for licensure pursuant to the commission’s rules.

(g) Have continuing competence requirements as a condition for license renewal.

(2) Upon adoption of the compact, a member state has the authority to obtain biometric-based information from each licensee applying for a compact privilege and submit this information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a criminal background check in accordance with 28 U.S.C. s. 534 and 34 U.S.C. s. 40316.

(3) A member state must grant the compact privilege to a licensee holding a valid unencumbered license in another member state in accordance with the terms of the compact and rules.

ARTICLE IV

COMPACT PRIVILEGE

(1) To exercise the compact privilege under the compact, a licensee must satisfy all of the following conditions:

(a) Hold a license in the home state.

(b) Not have an encumbrance on any state license.

(c) Be eligible for a compact privilege in all member states in accordance with subsections (4), (7), and (8).

(d) Not have had an adverse action against any license or compact privilege within the preceding 2 years.

(e) Notify the commission that the licensee is seeking the compact privilege within a remote state.

(f) Meet any jurisprudence requirements established by the remote state in which the licensee is seeking a compact privilege.

(g) Report to the commission adverse action taken by any nonmember state within 30 days after the date the adverse action is taken.

(2) The compact privilege is valid until the expiration date of the home license. The licensee must continue to meet the requirements of subsection (1) to maintain the compact privilege in a remote state.

(3) A licensee providing physical therapy in a remote state under the compact privilege must comply with the laws and rules of the remote state.

(4) A licensee providing physical therapy in a remote state is subject to that state’s regulatory authority. A remote state may, in accordance with due process and that state’s laws, remove a licensee’s compact privilege in the remote state for a specific period of time, impose fines, and take any other necessary actions to protect the health and safety of its citizens. The licensee is not eligible for a compact privilege in any member state until the specific period of time for removal has ended and all fines are paid.

(5) If a home state license is encumbered, the licensee loses the compact privilege in any remote state until the following conditions are met:

(a) The home state license is no longer encumbered.

(b) Two years have elapsed from the date of the adverse action.

(6) Once an encumbered license in the home state is restored to good standing, the licensee must meet the requirements of subsection (1) to obtain a compact privilege in any remote state.

(7) If a licensee’s compact privilege in any remote state is removed, the licensee loses the compact privilege in all remote states until all of the following conditions are met:

(a) The specific period of time for which the compact privilege was removed has ended.

(b) All fines have been paid.

(c) Two years have elapsed from the date of the adverse action.

(8) Once the requirements of subsection (7) have been met, the licensee must meet the requirements of subsection (1) to obtain a compact privilege in a remote state.

ARTICLE V

ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL AND THEIR SPOUSES

A licensee who is active duty military or is the spouse of an individual who is active duty military may choose any of the following locations to designate his or her home state:

(1) Home of record.

(2) Permanent change of station location.

(3) State of current residence, if it is different from the home of record or permanent change of station location.

ARTICLE VI

ADVERSE ACTIONS

(1) A home state has exclusive power to impose adverse action against a license issued by the home state.

(2) A home state may take adverse action based on the investigative information of a remote state, so long as the home state follows its own procedures for imposing adverse action.

(3) The compact does not override a member state’s decision that participation in an alternative program may be used in lieu of adverse action and that such participation remain nonpublic if required by the member state’s laws. Member states must require licensees who enter any alternative programs in lieu of discipline to agree not to practice in any other member state during the term of the alternative program without prior authorization from such other member state.

(4) A member state may investigate actual or alleged violations of the laws and rules for the practice of physical therapy committed in any other member state by a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant practicing under the compact who holds a license or compact privilege in such other member state.

(5) A remote state may do any of the following:

(a) Take adverse actions as set forth in subsection (4) of Article IV against a licensee’s compact privilege in the state.

(b) Issue subpoenas for both hearings and investigations which require the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of evidence. Subpoenas issued by a physical therapy licensing board in a party state for the attendance and testimony of witnesses or for the production of evidence from another party state must be enforced in the latter state by any court of competent jurisdiction, according to the practice and procedure of that court applicable to subpoenas issued in proceedings pending before it. The issuing authority shall pay any witness fees, travel expenses, mileage, and other fees required by the service laws of the state where the witnesses or evidence is located.

(c) If otherwise permitted by state law, recover from the licensee the costs of investigations and disposition of cases resulting from any adverse action taken against that licensee.

(6)(a) In addition to the authority granted to a member state by its respective physical therapy practice act or other applicable state law, a member state may participate with other member states in joint investigations of licensees.

(b) Member states shall share any investigative, litigation, or compliance materials in furtherance of any joint or individual investigation initiated under the compact.

ARTICLE VII

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PHYSICAL THERAPY COMPACT COMMISSION

(1) COMMISSION CREATED. — The member states hereby create and establish a joint public agency known as the Physical Therapy Compact Commission:

(a) The commission is an instrumentality of the member states.

(b) Venue is proper, and judicial proceedings by or against the commission must be brought solely and exclusively, in a court of competent jurisdiction where the principal office of the commission is located. The commission may waive venue and jurisdictional defenses to the extent it adopts or consents to participate in alternative dispute resolution proceedings.

(c) The compact may not be construed to be a waiver of sovereign immunity.

(2) MEMBERSHIP, VOTING, AND MEETINGS. —

(a) Each member state has and is limited to one delegate selected by that member state’s physical therapy licensing board to serve on the commission. The delegate must be a current member of the physical therapy licensing board who is a physical therapist, a physical therapist assistant, a public member, or the board administrator.

(b) A delegate may be removed or suspended from office as provided by the law of the state from which the delegate is appointed. Any vacancy occurring on the commission must be filled by the physical therapy licensing board of the member state for which the vacancy exists.

(c) Each delegate is entitled to one vote with regard to the adoption of rules and bylaws and shall otherwise have an opportunity to participate in the business and affairs of the commission.

(d) A delegate shall vote in person or by such other means as provided in the bylaws. The bylaws may provide for delegates’ participation in meetings by telephone or other means of communication.

(e) The commission shall meet at least once during each calendar year. Additional meetings may be held as set forth in the bylaws.

(f) All meetings must be open to the public, and public notice of meetings must be given in the same manner as required under the rulemaking provisions in Article IX.

(g) The commission or the executive board or other committees of the commission may convene in a closed, nonpublic meeting if the commission or executive board or other committees of the commission must discuss any of the following:

1. Noncompliance of a member state with its obligations under the compact.

2. The employment, compensation, or discipline of, or other matters, practices, or procedures related to, specific employees or other matters related to the commission’s internal personnel practices and procedures.

3. Current, threatened, or reasonably anticipated litigation against the commission, executive board, or other committees of the commission.

4. Negotiation of contracts for the purchase, lease, or sale of goods, services, or real estate.

5. An accusation of any person of a crime or a formal censure of any person.

6. Information disclosing trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential.

7. Information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.

8. Investigatory records compiled for law enforcement purposes.

9. Information related to any investigative reports prepared by or on behalf of or for use of the commission or other committee charged with responsibility for investigation or determination of compliance issues pursuant to the compact.

10. Matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal or member state statute.

(h) If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed pursuant to this subsection, the commission’s legal counsel or designee must certify that the meeting may be closed and must reference each relevant exempting provision.

(i) The commission shall keep minutes that fully and clearly describe all matters discussed in a meeting and shall provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken and the reasons therefor, including a description of the views expressed. All documents considered in connection with an action must be identified in the minutes. All minutes and documents of a closed meeting must remain under seal, subject to release only by a majority vote of the commission or order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

(3) DUTIES. — The commission shall do all of the following:

(a) Establish the fiscal year of the commission.

(b) Establish bylaws.

(c) Maintain its financial records in accordance with the bylaws.

(d) Meet and take such actions as are consistent with the provisions of the compact and the bylaws.

(4) POWERS. — The commission may do any of the following:

(a) Adopt uniform rules to facilitate and coordinate implementation and administration of the compact. The rules have the force and effect of law and are binding in all member states.

(b) Bring and prosecute legal proceedings or actions in the name of the commission, provided that the standing of any state physical therapy licensing board to sue or be sued under applicable law is not affected.

(c) Purchase and maintain insurance and bonds.

(d) Borrow, accept, or contract for services of personnel, including, but not limited to, employees of a member state.

(e) Hire employees and elect or appoint officers; fix the compensation of, define the duties of, and grant appropriate authority to such individuals to carry out the purposes of the compact; and establish the commission’s personnel policies and programs relating to conflicts of interest, qualifications of personnel, and other related personnel matters.

(f) Accept any appropriate donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services and receive, use, and dispose of the same, provided that at all times the commission avoids any appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest.

(g) Lease, purchase, accept appropriate gifts or donations of, or otherwise own, hold, improve, or use any property, real, personal, or mixed, provided that at all times the commission avoids any appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest.

(h) Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or otherwise dispose of any property, real, personal, or mixed.

(i) Establish a budget and make expenditures.

(j) Borrow money.

(k) Appoint committees, including standing committees composed of members, state regulators, state legislators or their representatives, and consumer representatives, and such other interested persons as may be designated in the compact and the bylaws.

(l) Provide information to, receive information from, and cooperate with law enforcement agencies.

(m) Establish and elect an executive board.

(n) Perform such other functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of the compact consistent with the state regulation of physical therapy licensure and practice.

(5) THE EXECUTIVE BOARD. —

(a) The executive board may act on behalf of the commission according to the terms of the compact.

(b) The executive board shall be composed of the following nine members:

1. Seven voting members who are elected by the commission from the current membership of the commission.

2. One ex officio, nonvoting member from the recognized national physical therapy professional association.

3. One ex officio, nonvoting member from the recognized membership organization of the physical therapy licensing boards.

(c) The ex officio members shall be selected by their respective organizations.

(d) The commission may remove any member of the executive board as provided in its bylaws.

(e) The executive board shall meet at least annually.

(f) The executive board shall do all of the following:

1. Recommend to the entire commission changes to the rules or bylaws, compact legislation, fees paid by compact member states, such as annual dues, and any commission compact fee charged to licensees for the compact privilege.

2. Ensure compact administration services are appropriately provided, contractually or otherwise.

3. Prepare and recommend the budget.

4. Maintain financial records on behalf of the commission.

5. Monitor compact compliance of member states and provide compliance reports to the commission.

6. Establish additional committees as necessary.

7. Perform other duties as provided in the rules or bylaws.

(6) FINANCING OF THE COMMISSION. —

(a) The commission shall pay, or provide for the payment of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities.

(b) The commission may accept any appropriate revenue sources, donations, and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services.

(c) The commission may levy and collect an annual assessment from each member state or impose fees on other parties to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the commission and its staff. Such assessments and fees must total to an amount sufficient to cover the commission’s annual budget as approved each year for which revenue is not provided by other sources. The aggregate annual assessment amount must be allocated based upon a formula to be determined by the commission, which shall adopt a rule binding upon all member states.

(d) The commission may not incur obligations of any kind before securing the funds adequate to meet such obligations; nor may the commission pledge the credit of any of the member states, except by and with the authority of the member state.

(e) The commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the commission are subject to the audit and accounting procedures established under its bylaws. However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the commission must be audited yearly by a certified or licensed public accountant, and the report of the audit must be included in and become part of the annual report of the commission.

(7) QUALIFIED IMMUNITY, DEFENSE, AND INDEMNIFICATION. —

(a) The members, officers, executive director, employees, and representatives of the commission are immune from suit and liability, whether personally or in their official capacity, for any claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused by or arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred, within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities. However, this paragraph may not be construed to protect any such person from suit or liability for any damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct of that person.

(b) The commission shall defend any member, officer, executive director, employee, or representative of the commission in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities. However, this subsection may not be construed to prohibit any member, officer, executive director, employee, or representative of the commission from retaining his or her own counsel or to require the commission to defend such person if the actual or alleged act, error, or omission resulted from that person’s intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct.

(c) The commission shall indemnify and hold harmless any member, officer, executive director, employee, or representative of the commission for the amount of any settlement or judgment obtained against that person arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that such person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from the intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct of that person.

ARTICLE VIII

DATA SYSTEM

(1) The commission shall provide for the development, maintenance, and use of a coordinated database and reporting system containing licensure, adverse action, and investigative information on all licensees in member states.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of state law to the contrary, a member state shall submit a uniform data set to the data system on all individuals to whom the compact is applicable as required by the rules of the commission, which data set must include all of the following:

(a) Identifying information.

(b) Licensure data.

(c) Investigative information.

(d) Adverse actions against a license or compact privilege.

(e) Nonconfidential information related to alternative program participation.

(f) Any denial of application for licensure, and the reason for such denial.

(g) Other information that may facilitate the administration of the compact, as determined by the rules of the commission.

(3) Investigative information in the system pertaining to a licensee in any member state must be available only to other party states.

(4) The commission shall promptly notify all member states of any adverse action taken against a licensee or an individual applying for a license in a member state. Adverse action information pertaining to a licensee in any member state must be available to all other member states.

(5) Member states contributing information to the data system may designate information that may not be shared with the public without the express permission of the contributing state.

(6) Any information submitted to the data system which is subsequently required to be expunged by the laws of the member state contributing the information must be removed from the data system.

ARTICLE IX

RULEMAKING

(1) The commission shall exercise its rulemaking powers pursuant to the criteria set forth in this article and the rules adopted thereunder. Rules and amendments become binding as of the date specified in each rule or amendment.

(2) If a majority of the legislatures of the member states rejects a rule by enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the compact within 4 years after the date of adoption of the rule, such rule does not have further force and effect in any member state.

(3) Rules or amendments to the rules must be adopted at a regular or special meeting of the commission.

(4) Before adoption of a final rule by the commission, and at least 30 days before the meeting at which the rule will be considered and voted upon, the commission must file a notice of proposed rulemaking on all of the following:

(a) The website of the commission or another publicly accessible platform.

(b) The website of each member state physical therapy licensing board or another publicly accessible platform or the publication in which each state would otherwise publish proposed rules.

(5) The notice of proposed rulemaking must include all of the following:

(a) The proposed date, time, and location of the meeting in which the rule or amendment will be considered and voted upon.

(b) The text of the proposed rule or amendment and the reason for the proposed rule.

(c) A request for comments on the proposed rule or amendment from any interested person.

(d) The manner in which interested persons may submit notice to the commission of their intention to attend the public hearing and any written comments.

(6) Before adoption of a proposed rule or amendment, the commission must allow persons to submit written data, facts, opinions, and arguments, which must be made available to the public.

(7) The commission must grant an opportunity for a public hearing before it adopts a rule or an amendment if a hearing is requested by any of the following:

(a) At least 25 persons.

(b) A state or federal governmental subdivision or agency.

(c) An association having at least 25 members.

(8) If a scheduled public hearing is held on the proposed rule or amendment, the commission must publish the date, time, and location of the hearing. If the hearing is held through electronic means, the commission must publish the mechanism for access to the electronic hearing.

(a) All persons wishing to be heard at the hearing must notify the executive director of the commission or another designated member in writing of their desire to appear and testify at the hearing at least 5 business days before the scheduled date of the hearing.

(b) Hearings must be conducted in a manner providing each person who wishes to comment a fair and reasonable opportunity to comment orally or in writing.

(c) All hearings must be recorded. A copy of the recording must be made available on request.

(d) This article may not be construed to require a separate hearing on each rule. Rules may be grouped for the convenience of the commission at hearings required by this article.

(9) Following the scheduled hearing date, or by the close of business on the scheduled hearing date if the hearing was not held, the commission shall consider all written and oral comments received.

(10) If no written notice of intent to attend the public hearing by interested parties is received, the commission may proceed with adoption of the proposed rule without a public hearing.

(11) The commission shall, by majority vote of all members, take final action on the proposed rule and shall determine the effective date of the rule, if any, based on the rulemaking record and the full text of the rule.

(12) Upon determination that an emergency exists, the commission may consider and adopt an emergency rule without prior notice, opportunity for comment, or hearing, provided that the usual rulemaking procedures provided in the compact and in this article are retroactively applied to the rule as soon as reasonably possible, in no event later than 90 days after the effective date of the rule. For the purposes of this subsection, an emergency rule is one that must be adopted immediately in order to do any of the following:

(a) Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare.

(b) Prevent a loss of commission or member state funds.

(c) Meet a deadline for the adoption of an administrative rule established by federal law or rule.

(d) Protect public health and safety.

(13) The commission or an authorized committee of the commission may direct revisions to a previously adopted rule or amendment for purposes of correcting typographical errors, errors in format, errors in consistency, or grammatical errors. Public notice of any revisions must be posted on the website of the commission. The revision is subject to challenge by any person for a period of 30 days after posting. The revision may be challenged only on grounds that the revision results in a material change to a rule. A challenge must be made in writing and delivered to the chair of the commission before the end of the notice period. If a challenge is not made, the revision takes effect without further action. If the revision is challenged, the revision may not take effect without the approval of the commission.

ARTICLE X

OVERSIGHT, DISPUTE RESOLUTION, AND ENFORCEMENT

(1) OVERSIGHT. —

(a) The executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government in each member state shall enforce the compact and take all actions necessary and appropriate to carry out the compact’s purposes and intent. The provisions of the compact and the rules adopted pursuant thereto shall have standing as statutory law.

(b) All courts shall take judicial notice of the compact and the rules in any judicial or administrative proceeding in a member state pertaining to the subject matter of the compact which may affect the powers, responsibilities, or actions of the commission.

(c) The commission is entitled to receive service of process in any such proceeding and has standing to intervene in such a proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide service of process to the commission renders a judgment or an order void as to the commission, the compact, or the adopted rules.

(2) DEFAULT, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND TERMINATION. —

(a) If the commission determines that a member state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under the compact or the adopted rules, the commission must do all of the following:

1. Provide written notice to the defaulting state and other member states of the nature of the default, the proposed means of curing the default, and any other action to be taken by the commission.

2. Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.

(b) 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 member states, and all rights, privileges, and benefits conferred by the 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.

(c) Termination of membership in the compact may be imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have been exhausted. The commission shall give notice of intent to suspend or terminate a defaulting member state to the governor and majority and minority leaders of the defaulting state’s legislature and to each of the member states.

(d) A state that has been terminated from the compact 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.

(e) The commission does 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 commission and the defaulting state.

(f) The defaulting state may appeal the action of the commission by petitioning the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the commission has its principal offices. The prevailing member shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney fees.

(3) DISPUTE RESOLUTION. —

(a) Upon request by a member state, the commission must attempt to resolve disputes related to the compact which arise among member states and between member and nonmember states.

(b) The commission shall adopt a rule providing for both mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes as appropriate.

(4) ENFORCEMENT. —

(a) The commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce the compact and the commission’s rules.

(b) By majority vote, the commission may initiate legal action in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the commission has its principal offices against a member state in default to enforce compliance with the provisions of the compact and its adopted rules and bylaws. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing member shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney fees.

(c) The remedies under this article are not the exclusive remedies of the commission. The commission may pursue any other remedies available under federal or state law.

ARTICLE XI

DATE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PHYSICAL THERAPY COMPACT AND ASSOCIATED RULES; WITHDRAWAL; AND AMENDMENTS

(1) The compact becomes effective on the date that the compact statute is enacted into law in the tenth member state. The provisions that become effective at that time are limited to the powers granted to the commission relating to assembly and the adoption of rules. Thereafter, the commission shall meet and exercise rulemaking powers necessary for the implementation and administration of the compact.

(2) Any state that joins the compact subsequent to the commission’s initial adoption of the rules is subject to the rules as they exist on the date that the compact becomes law in that state. Any rule that has been previously adopted by the commission has the full force and effect of law on the day the compact becomes law in that state.

(3) Any member state may withdraw from the compact by enacting a statute repealing the same.

(a) A member state’s withdrawal does not take effect until 6 months after enactment of the repealing statute.

(b) Withdrawal does not affect the continuing requirement of the withdrawing state’s physical therapy licensing board to comply with the investigative and adverse action reporting requirements of this act before the effective date of withdrawal.

(4) The compact may not be construed to invalidate or prevent any physical therapy licensure agreement or other cooperative arrangement between a member state and a nonmember state which does not conflict with the provisions of the compact.

(5) The compact may be amended by the member states. An amendment to the compact does not become effective and binding upon any member state until it is enacted into the laws of all member states.

ARTICLE XII

CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY

The compact must be liberally construed so as to carry out the purposes thereof. The provisions of the compact are severable, and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of the compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any party state or of the United States or the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of the compact and the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance is not affected thereby. If the compact is held contrary to the constitution of any party state, the compact remains in full force and effect as to the remaining party states and in full force and effect as to the party state affected as to all severable matters.

Legislative History

s. 60, ch. 2024-15; s. 16, ch. 2025-114.