103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB1655

 

Introduced 2/8/2023, by Sen. Jil Tracy - Tom Bennett - Erica Harriss

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
New Act

    Creates the Counseling Compact Act. Provides that the State of Illinois enters into the Counseling Compact. Specifies that the Compact's purpose is to facilitate interstate practice of licensed professional counselors with the goal of improving public access to professional counseling services. Contains other provisions relating to state participation in the Compact. Sets out provisions concerning the privilege to practice, obtaining a new home state license, active duty military personnel, telehealth, adverse actions, Counseling Compact Commission, data systems, rulemaking, oversight, dispute resolution, and enforcement. Contains other provisions concerning the Commission, the Compact, and the procedures governing participating in and construction of the Compact. Effective immediately.


LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB1655LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1    AN ACT concerning government.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
5Counseling Compact Act.
 
6    Section 5. Counseling Compact. The State of Illinois
7enters into the Counseling Compact in substantially the
8following form with all other states joining the Compact:
 
9    SECTION 1: PURPOSE
10    The purpose of this Compact is to facilitate interstate
11practice of Licensed Professional Counselors with the goal of
12improving public access to Professional Counseling services.
13The practice of Professional Counseling occurs in the State
14where the client is located at the time of the counseling
15services. The Compact preserves the regulatory authority of
16States to protect public health and safety through the current
17system of State licensure.
18    This Compact is designed to achieve the following
19objectives:
20        A. Increase public access to Professional Counseling
21    services by providing for the mutual recognition of other
22    Member State licenses;

 

 

SB1655- 2 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1        B. Enhance the States' ability to protect the public's
2    health and safety;
3        C. Encourage the cooperation of Member States in
4    regulating multistate practice for Licensed Professional
5    Counselors;
6        D. Support spouses of relocating Active Duty Military
7    personnel;
8        E. Enhance the exchange of licensure, investigative,
9    and disciplinary information among Member States;
10        F. Allow for the use of Telehealth technology to
11    facilitate increased access to Professional Counseling
12    services;
13        G. Support the uniformity of Professional Counseling
14    licensure requirements throughout the States to promote
15    public safety and public health benefits;
16        H. Invest all Member States with the authority to hold
17    a Licensed Professional Counselor accountable for meeting
18    all State practice laws in the State in which the client is
19    located at the time care is rendered through the mutual
20    recognition of Member State licenses;
21        I. Eliminate the necessity for licenses in multiple
22    States; and
23        J. Provide opportunities for interstate practice by
24    Licensed Professional Counselors who meet uniform
25    licensure requirements.
 

 

 

SB1655- 3 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1    SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS
2    As used in this Compact, and except as otherwise provided,
3the following definitions shall apply:
4    A. "Active Duty Military" means full-time duty status in
5the active uniformed service of the United States, including
6members of the National Guard and Reserve on active duty
7orders pursuant to 10 U.S.C. Chapters 1209 and 1211.
8    B. "Adverse Action" means any administrative, civil,
9equitable or criminal action permitted by a State's laws which
10is imposed by a licensing board or other authority against a
11Licensed Professional Counselor, including actions against an
12individual's license or Privilege to Practice such as
13revocation, suspension, probation, monitoring of the licensee,
14limitation on the licensee's practice, or any other
15Encumbrance on licensure affecting a Licensed Professional
16Counselor's authorization to practice, including issuance of a
17cease and desist action.
18    C. "Alternative Program" means a non-disciplinary
19monitoring or practice remediation process approved by a
20Professional Counseling Licensing Board to address Impaired
21Practitioners.
22    D. "Continuing Competence/Education" means a requirement,
23as a condition of license renewal, to provide evidence of
24participation in, and/or completion of, educational and
25professional activities relevant to practice or area of work.
26    E. "Counseling Compact Commission" or "Commission" means

 

 

SB1655- 4 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1the national administrative body whose membership consists of
2all States that have enacted the Compact.
3    F. "Current Significant Investigative Information" means:
4        1. Investigative Information that a Licensing Board,
5    after a preliminary inquiry that includes notification and
6    an opportunity for the Licensed Professional Counselor to
7    respond, if required by State law, has reason to believe
8    is not groundless and, if proved true, would indicate more
9    than a minor infraction; or
10        2. Investigative Information that indicates that the
11    Licensed Professional Counselor represents an immediate
12    threat to public health and safety regardless of whether
13    the Licensed Professional Counselor has been notified and
14    had an opportunity to respond.
15    G. "Data System" means a repository of information about
16Licensees, including, but not limited to, continuing
17education, examination, licensure, investigative, Privilege to
18Practice and Adverse Action information.
19    H. "Encumbered License" means a license in which an
20Adverse Action restricts the practice of licensed Professional
21Counseling by the Licensee and said Adverse Action has been
22reported to the National Practitioners Data Bank (NPDB).
23    I. "Encumbrance" means a revocation or suspension of, or
24any limitation on, the full and unrestricted practice of
25Licensed Professional Counseling by a Licensing Board.
26    J. "Executive Committee" means a group of directors

 

 

SB1655- 5 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1elected or appointed to act on behalf of, and within the powers
2granted to them by, the Commission.
3    K. "Home State" means the Member State that is the
4Licensee's primary State of residence.
5    L. "Impaired Practitioner" means an individual who has a
6condition(s) that may impair their ability to practice as a
7Licensed Professional Counselor without some type of
8intervention and may include, but are not limited to, alcohol
9and drug dependence, mental health impairment, and
10neurological or physical impairments.
11    M. "Investigative Information" means information, records,
12and documents received or generated by a Professional
13Counseling Licensing Board pursuant to an investigation.
14    N. "Jurisprudence Requirement" if required by a Member
15State, means the assessment of an individual's knowledge of
16the laws and Rules governing the practice of Professional
17Counseling in a State.
18    O. "Licensed Professional Counselor" means a counselor
19licensed by a Member State, regardless of the title used by
20that State, to independently assess, diagnose, and treat
21behavioral health conditions.
22    P. "Licensee" means an individual who currently holds an
23authorization from the State to practice as a Licensed
24Professional Counselor.
25    Q. "Licensing Board" means the agency of a State, or
26equivalent, that is responsible for the licensing and

 

 

SB1655- 6 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1regulation of Licensed Professional Counselors.
2    R. "Member State" means a State that has enacted the
3Compact.
4    S. "Privilege to Practice" means a legal authorization,
5which is equivalent to a license, permitting the practice of
6Professional Counseling in a Remote State.
7    T. "Professional Counseling" means the assessment,
8diagnosis, and treatment of behavioral health conditions by a
9Licensed Professional Counselor.
10    U. "Remote State" means a Member State other than the Home
11State, where a Licensee is exercising or seeking to exercise
12the Privilege to Practice.
13    V. "Rule" means a regulation promulgated by the Commission
14that has the force of law.
15    W. "Single State License" means a Licensed Professional
16Counselor license issued by a Member State that authorizes
17practice only within the issuing State and does not include a
18Privilege to Practice in any other Member State.
19    X. "State" means any state, commonwealth, district, or
20territory of the United States of America that regulates the
21practice of Professional Counseling.
22    Y. "Telehealth" means the application of telecommunication
23technology to deliver Professional Counseling services
24remotely to assess, diagnose, and treat behavioral health
25conditions.
26    Z. "Unencumbered License" means a license that authorizes

 

 

SB1655- 7 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1a Licensed Professional Counselor to engage in the full and
2unrestricted practice of Professional Counseling.
 
3    SECTION 3. STATE PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPACT
4    A. To Participate in the Compact, a State must currently:
5        1. License and regulate Licensed Professional
6    Counselors;
7        2. Require Licensees to pass a nationally recognized
8    exam approved by the Commission;
9        3. Require Licensees to have a 60 semester-hour (or 90
10    quarter-hour) master's degree in counseling or 60
11    semester-hours (or 90 quarter-hours) of graduate course
12    work including the following topic areas:
13            a. Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical
14        Practice;
15            b. Social and Cultural Diversity;
16            c. Human Growth and Development;
17            d. Career Development;
18            e. Counseling and Helping Relationships;
19            f. Group Counseling and Group Work;
20            g. Diagnosis and Treatment; Assessment and
21        Testing;
22            h. Research and Program Evaluation; and
23            i. Other areas as determined by the Commission.
24        4. Require Licensees to complete a supervised
25    postgraduate professional experience as defined by the

 

 

SB1655- 8 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1    Commission;
2        5. Have a mechanism in place for receiving and
3    investigating complaints about Licensees.
4    B. A Member State shall:
5        1. Participate fully in the Commission's Data System,
6    including using the Commission's unique identifier as
7    defined in Rules;
8        2. Notify the Commission, in compliance with the terms
9    of the Compact and Rules, of any Adverse Action or the
10    availability of Investigative Information regarding a
11    Licensee;
12        3. Implement or utilize procedures for considering the
13    criminal history records of applicants for an initial
14    Privilege to Practice. These procedures shall include the
15    submission of fingerprints or other biometric-based
16    information by applicants for the purpose of obtaining an
17    applicant's criminal history record information from the
18    Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency responsible
19    for retaining that State's criminal records;
20            a. A member state must fully implement a criminal
21        background check requirement, within a time frame
22        established by rule, by receiving the results of the
23        Federal Bureau of Investigation record search and
24        shall use the results in making licensure decisions.
25            b. Communication between a Member State, the
26        Commission and among Member States regarding the

 

 

SB1655- 9 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1        verification of eligibility for licensure through the
2        Compact shall not include any information received
3        from the Federal Bureau of Investigation relating to a
4        federal criminal records check performed by a Member
5        State under Public Law 92-544.
6        4. Comply with the Rules of the Commission;
7        5. Require an applicant to obtain or retain a license
8    in the Home State and meet the Home State's qualifications
9    for licensure or renewal of licensure, as well as all
10    other applicable State laws;
11        6. Grant the Privilege to Practice to a Licensee
12    holding a valid Unencumbered License in another Member
13    State in accordance with the terms of the Compact and
14    Rules; and
15        7. Provide for the attendance of the State's
16    commissioner to the Counseling Compact Commission
17    meetings.
18    C. Member States may charge a fee for granting the
19Privilege to Practice.
20    D. Individuals not residing in a Member State shall
21continue to be able to apply for a Member State's Single State
22License as provided under the laws of each Member State.
23However, the Single State License granted to these individuals
24shall not be recognized as granting a Privilege to Practice
25Professional Counseling in any other Member State.
26    E. Nothing in this Compact shall affect the requirements

 

 

SB1655- 10 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1established by a Member State for the issuance of a Single
2State License.
3    F. A license issued to a Licensed Professional Counselor
4by a Home State to a resident in that State shall be recognized
5by each Member State as authorizing a Licensed Professional
6Counselor to practice Professional Counseling, under a
7Privilege to Practice, in each Member State.
 
8    SECTION 4. PRIVILEGE TO PRACTICE
9    A. To exercise the Privilege to Practice under the terms
10and provisions of the Compact, the Licensee shall:
11        1. Hold a license in the Home State;
12        2. Have a valid United States Social Security Number
13    or National Practitioner Identifier;
14        3. Be eligible for a Privilege to Practice in any
15    Member State in accordance with Section 4(D), (G) and (H);
16        4. Have not had any Encumbrance or restriction against
17    any license or Privilege to Practice within the previous
18    two (2) years;
19        5. Notify the Commission that the Licensee is seeking
20    the Privilege to Practice within a Remote State(s);
21        6. Pay any applicable fees, including any State fee,
22    for the Privilege to Practice;
23        7. Meet any Continuing Competence/Education
24    requirements established by the Home State;
25        8. Meet any Jurisprudence Requirements established by

 

 

SB1655- 11 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1    the Remote State(s) in which the Licensee is seeking a
2    Privilege to Practice; and
3        9. Report to the Commission any Adverse Action,
4    Encumbrance, or restriction on a license taken by any
5    non-Member State within 30 days from the date the action
6    is taken.
7    B. The Privilege to Practice is valid until the expiration
8date of the Home State license. The Licensee must comply with
9the requirements of Section 4(A) to maintain the Privilege to
10Practice in the Remote State.
11    C. A Licensee providing Professional Counseling in a
12Remote State under the Privilege to Practice shall adhere to
13the laws and regulations of the Remote State.
14    D. A Licensee providing Professional Counseling services
15in a Remote State is subject to that State's regulatory
16authority. A Remote State may, in accordance with due process
17and that State's laws, remove a Licensee's Privilege to
18Practice in the Remote State for a specific period of time,
19impose fines, and/or take any other necessary actions to
20protect the health and safety of its citizens. The Licensee
21may be ineligible for a Privilege to Practice in any Member
22State until the specific time for removal has passed and all
23fines are paid.
24    E. If a Home State license is encumbered, the Licensee
25shall lose the Privilege to Practice in any Remote State until
26the following occur:

 

 

SB1655- 12 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1        1. The Home State license is no longer encumbered; and
2        2. Have not had any Encumbrance or restriction against
3    any license or Privilege to Practice within the previous
4    two (2) years.
5    F. Once an Encumbered License in the Home State is
6restored to good standing, the Licensee must meet the
7requirements of Section 4(A) to obtain a Privilege to Practice
8in any Remote State.
9    G. If a Licensee's Privilege to Practice in any Remote
10State is removed, the individual may lose the Privilege to
11Practice in all other Remote States until the following occur:
12        1. The specific period of time for which the Privilege
13    to Practice was removed has ended;
14        2. All fines have been paid; and
15        3. Have not had any Encumbrance or restriction against
16    any license or Privilege to Practice within the previous
17    two (2) years.
18    H. Once the requirements of Section 4(G) have been met,
19the Licensee must meet the requirements in Section 4(A) to
20obtain a Privilege to Practice in a Remote State.
 
21    SECTION 5: OBTAINING A NEW HOME STATE LICENSE BASED ON A
22PRIVILEGE TO PRACTICE
23    A. A Licensed Professional Counselor may hold a Home State
24license, which allows for a Privilege to Practice in other
25Member States, in only one Member State at a time.

 

 

SB1655- 13 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1    B. If a Licensed Professional Counselor changes primary
2State of residence by moving between two Member States:
3        1. The Licensed Professional Counselor shall file an
4    application for obtaining a new Home State license based
5    on a Privilege to Practice, pay all applicable fees, and
6    notify the current and new Home State in accordance with
7    applicable Rules adopted by the Commission.
8        2. Upon receipt of an application for obtaining a new
9    Home State license by virtue of a Privilege to Practice,
10    the new Home State shall verify that the Licensed
11    Professional Counselor meets the pertinent criteria
12    outlined in Section 4 via the Data System without need for
13    primary source verification except for:
14            a. a Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint
15        based criminal background check if not previously
16        performed or updated pursuant to applicable rules
17        adopted by the Commission in accordance with Public
18        Law 92-544;
19            b. other criminal background check as required by
20        the new Home State; and
21            c. completion of any requisite Jurisprudence
22        Requirements of the new Home State.
23        3. The former Home State shall convert the former Home
24    State license into a Privilege to Practice once the new
25    Home State has activated the new Home State license in
26    accordance with applicable Rules adopted by the

 

 

SB1655- 14 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1    Commission.
2        4. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
3    Compact, if the Licensed Professional Counselor cannot
4    meet the criteria in Section 4, the new Home State may
5    apply its requirements for issuing a new Single State
6    License.
7        5. The Licensed Professional Counselor shall pay all
8    applicable fees to the new Home State in order to be issued
9    a new Home State license.
10    C. If a Licensed Professional Counselor changes Primary
11State of Residence by moving from a Member State to a
12non-Member State, or from a non-Member State to a Member
13State, the State criteria shall apply for issuance of a Single
14State License in the new State.
15    D. Nothing in this Compact shall interfere with a
16Licensee's ability to hold a Single State License in multiple
17States, however for the purposes of this Compact, a Licensee
18shall have only one Home State license.
19    E. Nothing in this Compact shall affect the requirements
20established by a Member State for the issuance of a Single
21State License.
 
22    SECTION 6. ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL OR THEIR SPOUSES
23    Active Duty Military personnel, or their spouse, shall
24designate a Home State where the individual has a current
25license in good standing. The individual may retain the Home

 

 

SB1655- 15 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1State designation during the period the service member is on
2active duty. Subsequent to designating a Home State, the
3individual shall only change their Home State through
4application for licensure in the new State, or through the
5process outlined in Section 5.
 
6    SECTION 7. COMPACT PRIVILEGE TO PRACTICE TELEHEALTH
7    A. Member States shall recognize the right of a Licensed
8Professional Counselor, licensed by a Home State in accordance
9with Section 3 and under Rules promulgated by the Commission,
10to practice Professional Counseling in any Member State via
11Telehealth under a Privilege to Practice as provided in the
12Compact and Rules promulgated by the Commission.
13    B. A Licensee providing Professional Counseling services
14in a Remote State under the Privilege to Practice shall adhere
15to the laws and regulations of the Remote State.
 
16    SECTION 8. ADVERSE ACTIONS
17    A. In addition to the other powers conferred by State law,
18a Remote State shall have the authority, in accordance with
19existing State due process law, to:
20        1. Take Adverse Action against a Licensed Professional
21    Counselor's Privilege to Practice within that Member
22    State, and
23        2. Issue subpoenas for both hearings and
24    investigations that require the attendance and testimony

 

 

SB1655- 16 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1    of witnesses as well as the production of evidence.
2    Subpoenas issued by a Licensing Board in a Member State
3    for the attendance and testimony of witnesses or the
4    production of evidence from another Member State shall be
5    enforced in the latter State by any court of competent
6    jurisdiction, according to the practice and procedure of
7    that court applicable to subpoenas issued in proceedings
8    pending before it. The issuing authority shall pay any
9    witness fees, travel expenses, mileage, and other fees
10    required by the service statutes of the State in which the
11    witnesses or evidence are located.
12    Only the Home State shall have the power to take Adverse
13Action against a Licensed Professional Counselor's license
14issued by the Home State.
15    B. For purposes of taking Adverse Action, the Home State
16shall give the same priority and effect to reported conduct
17received from a Member State as it would if the conduct had
18occurred within the Home State. In so doing, the Home State
19shall apply its own State laws to determine appropriate
20action.
21    C. The Home State shall complete any pending
22investigations of a Licensed Professional Counselor who
23changes primary State of residence during the course of the
24investigations. The Home State shall also have the authority
25to take appropriate action(s) and shall promptly report the
26conclusions of the investigations to the administrator of the

 

 

SB1655- 17 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1Data System. The administrator of the coordinated licensure
2information system shall promptly notify the new Home State of
3any Adverse Actions.
4    D. A Member State, if otherwise permitted by State law,
5may recover from the affected Licensed Professional Counselor
6the costs of investigations and dispositions of cases
7resulting from any Adverse Action taken against that Licensed
8Professional Counselor.
9    E. A Member State may take Adverse Action based on the
10factual findings of the Remote State, provided that the Member
11State follows its own procedures for taking the Adverse
12Action.
13    F. Joint Investigations:
14        1. In addition to the authority granted to a Member
15    State by its respective Professional Counseling practice
16    act or other applicable State law, any Member State may
17    participate with other Member States in joint
18    investigations of Licensees.
19        2. Member States shall share any investigative,
20    litigation, or compliance materials in furtherance of any
21    joint or individual investigation initiated under the
22    Compact.
23    G. If Adverse Action is taken by the Home State against the
24license of a Licensed Professional Counselor, the Licensed
25Professional Counselor's Privilege to Practice in all other
26Member States shall be deactivated until all Encumbrances have

 

 

SB1655- 18 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1been removed from the State license. All Home State
2disciplinary orders that impose Adverse Action against the
3license of a Licensed Professional Counselor shall include a
4Statement that the Licensed Professional Counselor's Privilege
5to Practice is deactivated in all Member States during the
6pendency of the order.
7    H. If a Member State takes Adverse Action, it shall
8promptly notify the administrator of the Data System. The
9administrator of the Data System shall promptly notify the
10Home State of any Adverse Actions by Remote States.
11    I. Nothing in this Compact shall override a Member State's
12decision that participation in an Alternative Program may be
13used in lieu of Adverse Action.
 
14    SECTION 9. ESTABLISHMENT OF COUNSELING COMPACT COMMISSION
15    A. The Compact Member States hereby create and establish a
16joint public agency known as the Counseling Compact
17Commission:
18        1. The Commission is an instrumentality of the Compact
19    States.
20        2. Venue is proper and judicial proceedings by or
21    against the Commission shall be brought solely and
22    exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction where the
23    principal office of the Commission is located. The
24    Commission may waive venue and jurisdictional defenses to
25    the extent it adopts or consents to participate in

 

 

SB1655- 19 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1    alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
2        3. Nothing in this Compact shall be construed to be a
3    waiver of sovereign immunity.
4    B. Membership, Voting, and Meetings
5        1. Each Member State shall have and be limited to one
6    (1) delegate selected by that Member State's Licensing
7    Board.
8        2. The delegate shall be either:
9            a. A current member of the Licensing Board at the
10        time of appointment, who is a Licensed Professional
11        Counselor or public member; or
12            b. An administrator of the Licensing Board.
13        3. Any delegate may be removed or suspended from
14    office as provided by the law of the State from which the
15    delegate is appointed.
16        4. The Member State Licensing Board shall fill any
17    vacancy occurring on the Commission within 60 days.
18        5. Each delegate shall be entitled to one (1) vote
19    with regard to the promulgation of Rules and creation of
20    bylaws and shall otherwise have an opportunity to
21    participate in the business and affairs of the Commission.
22        6. A delegate shall vote in person or by such other
23    means as provided in the bylaws. The bylaws may provide
24    for delegates' participation in meetings by telephone or
25    other means of communication.
26        7. The Commission shall meet at least once during each

 

 

SB1655- 20 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1    calendar year. Additional meetings shall be held as set
2    forth in the bylaws.
3        8. The Commission shall by Rule establish a term of
4    office for delegates and may by Rule establish term
5    limits.
6    C. The Commission shall have the following powers and
7duties:
8        1. Establish the fiscal year of the Commission;
9        2. Establish bylaws;
10        3. Maintain its financial records in accordance with
11    the bylaws;
12        4. Meet and take such actions as are consistent with
13    the provisions of this Compact and the bylaws;
14        5. Promulgate Rules which shall be binding to the
15    extent and in the manner provided for in the Compact;
16        6. Bring and prosecute legal proceedings or actions in
17    the name of the Commission, provided that the standing of
18    any State Licensing Board to sue or be sued under
19    applicable law shall not be affected;
20        7. Purchase and maintain insurance and bonds;
21        8. Borrow, accept, or contract for services of
22    personnel, including, but not limited to, employees of a
23    Member State;
24        9. Hire employees, elect or appoint officers, fix
25    compensation, define duties, grant such individuals
26    appropriate authority to carry out the purposes of the

 

 

SB1655- 21 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1    Compact, and establish the Commission's personnel policies
2    and programs relating to conflicts of interest,
3    qualifications of personnel, and other related personnel
4    matters;
5        10. Accept any and all appropriate donations and
6    grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and
7    services, and to receive, utilize, and dispose of the
8    same; provided that at all times the Commission shall
9    avoid any appearance of impropriety or conflict of
10    interest;
11        11. Lease, purchase, accept appropriate gifts or
12    donations of, or otherwise to own, hold, improve or use,
13    any property, real, personal or mixed; provided that at
14    all times the Commission shall avoid any appearance of
15    impropriety;
16        12. Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange,
17    abandon, or otherwise dispose of any property real,
18    personal, or mixed;
19        13. Establish a budget and make expenditures;
20        14. Borrow money;
21        15. Appoint committees, including standing committees
22    composed of members, State regulators, State legislators
23    or their representatives, and consumer representatives,
24    and such other interested persons as may be designated in
25    this Compact and the bylaws;
26        16. Provide and receive information from, and

 

 

SB1655- 22 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1    cooperate with, law enforcement agencies;
2        17. Establish and elect an Executive Committee; and
3        18. Perform such other functions as may be necessary
4    or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Compact
5    consistent with the State regulation of Professional
6    Counseling licensure and practice.
7    D. The Executive Committee
8        1. The Executive Committee shall have the power to act
9    on behalf of the Commission according to the terms of this
10    Compact.
11        2. The Executive Committee shall be composed of up to
12    eleven (11) members:
13            a. Seven voting members who are elected by the
14        Commission from the current membership of the
15        Commission; and
16            b. Up to four (4) ex-officio, nonvoting members
17        from four (4) recognized national professional
18        counselor organizations.
19            c. The ex-officio members will be selected by
20        their respective organizations.
21        3. The Commission may remove any member of the
22    Executive Committee as provided in bylaws.
23        4. The Executive Committee shall meet at least
24    annually.
25        5. The Executive Committee shall have the following
26    duties and responsibilities:

 

 

SB1655- 23 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1            a. Recommend to the entire Commission changes to
2        the Rules or bylaws, changes to this Compact
3        legislation, fees paid by Compact Member States such
4        as annual dues, and any Commission Compact fee charged
5        to Licensees for the Privilege to Practice;
6            b. Ensure Compact administration services are
7        appropriately provided, contractual or otherwise;
8            c. Prepare and recommend the budget;
9            d. Maintain financial records on behalf of the
10        Commission;
11            e. Monitor Compact compliance of Member States and
12        provide compliance reports to the Commission;
13            f. Establish additional committees as necessary;
14        and
15            g. Other duties as provided in Rules or bylaws.
16    E. Meetings of the Commission
17        1. All meetings shall be open to the public, and
18    public notice of meetings shall be given in the same
19    manner as required under the Rulemaking provisions in
20    Section 11.
21        2. The Commission or the Executive Committee or other
22    committees of the Commission may convene in a closed,
23    non-public meeting if the Commission or Executive
24    Committee or other committees of the Commission must
25    discuss:
26            a. Non-compliance of a Member State with its

 

 

SB1655- 24 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1        obligations under the Compact;
2            b. The employment, compensation, discipline or
3        other matters, practices or procedures related to
4        specific employees or other matters related to the
5        Commission's internal personnel practices and
6        procedures;
7            c. Current, threatened, or reasonably anticipated
8        litigation;
9            d. Negotiation of contracts for the purchase,
10        lease, or sale of goods, services, or real estate;
11            e. Accusing any person of a crime or formally
12        censuring any person;
13            f. Disclosure of trade secrets or commercial or
14        financial information that is privileged or
15        confidential;
16            g. Disclosure of information of a personal nature
17        where disclosure would constitute a clearly
18        unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;
19            h. Disclosure of investigative records compiled
20        for law enforcement purposes;
21            i. Disclosure of information related to any
22        investigative reports prepared by or on behalf of or
23        for use of the Commission or other committee charged
24        with responsibility of investigation or determination
25        of compliance issues pursuant to the Compact; or
26            j. Matters specifically exempted from disclosure

 

 

SB1655- 25 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1        by federal or Member State statute.
2        3. If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed
3    pursuant to this provision, the Commission's legal counsel
4    or designee shall certify that the meeting may be closed
5    and shall reference each relevant exempting provision.
6        4. The Commission shall keep minutes that fully and
7    clearly describe all matters discussed in a meeting and
8    shall provide a full and accurate summary of actions
9    taken, and the reasons therefore, including a description
10    of the views expressed. All documents considered in
11    connection with an action shall be identified in such
12    minutes. All minutes and documents of a closed meeting
13    shall remain under seal, subject to release by a majority
14    vote of the Commission or order of a court of competent
15    jurisdiction.
16    F. Financing of the Commission
17        1. The Commission shall pay, or provide for the
18    payment of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment,
19    organization, and ongoing activities.
20        2. The Commission may accept any and all appropriate
21    revenue sources, donations, and grants of money,
22    equipment, supplies, materials, and services.
23        3. The Commission may levy on and collect an annual
24    assessment from each Member State or impose fees on other
25    parties to cover the cost of the operations and activities
26    of the Commission and its staff, which must be in a total

 

 

SB1655- 26 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1    amount sufficient to cover its annual budget as approved
2    each year for which revenue is not provided by other
3    sources. The aggregate annual assessment amount shall be
4    allocated based upon a formula to be determined by the
5    Commission, which shall promulgate a Rule binding upon all
6    Member States.
7        4. The Commission shall not incur obligations of any
8    kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the
9    same; nor shall the Commission pledge the credit of any of
10    the Member States, except by and with the authority of the
11    Member State.
12        5. The Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all
13    receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements
14    of the Commission shall be subject to the audit and
15    accounting procedures established under its bylaws.
16    However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled
17    by the Commission shall be audited yearly by a certified
18    or licensed public accountant, and the report of the audit
19    shall be included in and become part of the annual report
20    of the Commission.
21    G. Qualified Immunity, Defense, and Indemnification
22        1. The members, officers, executive director,
23    employees and representatives of the Commission shall be
24    immune from suit and liability, either personally or in
25    their official capacity, for any claim for damage to or
26    loss of property or personal injury or other civil

 

 

SB1655- 27 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1    liability caused by or arising out of any actual or
2    alleged act, error or omission that occurred, or that the
3    person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable
4    basis for believing occurred within the scope of
5    Commission employment, duties or responsibilities;
6    provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed
7    to protect any such person from suit and/or liability for
8    any damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the
9    intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that
10    person.
11        2. The Commission shall defend any member, officer,
12    executive director, employee or representative of the
13    Commission in any civil action seeking to impose liability
14    arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or
15    omission that occurred within the scope of Commission
16    employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that the
17    person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable
18    basis for believing occurred within the scope of
19    Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities;
20    provided that nothing herein shall be construed to
21    prohibit that person from retaining his or her own
22    counsel; and provided further, that the actual or alleged
23    act, error, or omission did not result from that person's
24    intentional or willful or wanton misconduct.
25        3. The Commission shall indemnify and hold harmless
26    any member, officer, executive director, employee, or

 

 

SB1655- 28 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1    representative of the Commission for the amount of any
2    settlement or judgment obtained against that person
3    arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or
4    omission that occurred within the scope of Commission
5    employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that such
6    person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred
7    within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or
8    responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act,
9    error, or omission did not result from the intentional or
10    willful or wanton misconduct of that person.
 
11    SECTION 10. DATA SYSTEM
12    A. The Commission shall provide for the development,
13maintenance, operation, and utilization of a coordinated
14database and reporting system containing licensure, Adverse
15Action, and Investigative Information on all licensed
16individuals in Member States.
17    B. Notwithstanding any other provision of State law to the
18contrary, a Member State shall submit a uniform data set to the
19Data System on all individuals to whom this Compact is
20applicable, as required by the Rules of the Commission,
21including:
22        1. Identifying information;
23        2. Licensure data;
24        3. Adverse Actions against a license or Privilege to
25    Practice;

 

 

SB1655- 29 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1        4. Non-confidential information related to Alternative
2    Program participation;
3        5. Any denial of application for licensure, and the
4    reason(s) for such denial;
5        6. Current Significant Investigative Information; and
6        7. Other information that may facilitate the
7    administration of this Compact, as determined by the Rules
8    of the Commission.
9    C. Investigative Information pertaining to a Licensee in
10any Member State will only be available to other Member
11States.
12    D. The Commission shall promptly notify all Member States
13of any Adverse Action taken against a Licensee or an
14individual applying for a license. Adverse Action information
15pertaining to a Licensee in any Member State will be available
16to any other Member State.
17    E. Member States contributing information to the Data
18System may designate information that may not be shared with
19the public without the express permission of the contributing
20State.
21    F. Any information submitted to the Data System that is
22subsequently required to be expunged by the laws of the Member
23State contributing the information shall be removed from the
24Data System.
 
25    SECTION 11. RULEMAKING

 

 

SB1655- 30 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1    A. The Commission shall promulgate reasonable Rules in
2order to effectively and efficiently achieve the purpose of
3the Compact. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the
4Commission exercises its Rulemaking authority in a manner that
5is beyond the scope of the purposes of the Compact, or the
6powers granted hereunder, then such an action by the
7Commission shall be invalid and have no force or effect.
8    B. The Commission shall exercise its Rulemaking powers
9pursuant to the criteria set forth in this Section and the
10Rules adopted thereunder. Rules and amendments shall become
11binding as of the date specified in each Rule or amendment.
12    C. If a majority of the legislatures of the Member States
13rejects a Rule, by enactment of a statute or resolution in the
14same manner used to adopt the Compact within four (4) years of
15the date of adoption of the Rule, then such Rule shall have no
16further force and effect in any Member State.
17    D. Rules or amendments to the Rules shall be adopted at a
18regular or special meeting of the Commission.
19    E. Prior to promulgation and adoption of a final Rule or
20Rules by the Commission, and at least thirty (30) days in
21advance of the meeting at which the Rule will be considered and
22voted upon, the Commission shall file a Notice of Proposed
23Rulemaking:
24        1. On the website of the Commission or other publicly
25    accessible platform; and
26        2. On the website of each Member State Professional

 

 

SB1655- 31 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1    Counseling Licensing Board or other publicly accessible
2    platform or the publication in which each State would
3    otherwise publish proposed Rules.
4    F. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking shall include:
5        1. The proposed time, date, and location of the
6    meeting in which the Rule will be considered and voted
7    upon;
8        2. The text of the proposed Rule or amendment and the
9    reason for the proposed Rule;
10        3. A request for comments on the proposed Rule from
11    any interested person; and
12        4. The manner in which interested persons may submit
13    notice to the Commission of their intention to attend the
14    public hearing and any written comments.
15    G. Prior to adoption of a proposed Rule, the Commission
16shall allow persons to submit written data, facts, opinions,
17and arguments, which shall be made available to the public.
18    H. The Commission shall grant an opportunity for a public
19hearing before it adopts a Rule or amendment if a hearing is
20requested by:
21        1. At least twenty-five (25) persons;
22        2. A State or federal governmental subdivision or
23    agency; or
24        3. An association having at least twenty-five (25)
25    members.
26    I. If a hearing is held on the proposed Rule or amendment,

 

 

SB1655- 32 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1the Commission shall publish the place, time, and date of the
2scheduled public hearing. If the hearing is held via
3electronic means, the Commission shall publish the mechanism
4for access to the electronic hearing.
5        1. All persons wishing to be heard at the hearing
6    shall notify the executive director of the Commission or
7    other designated member in writing of their desire to
8    appear and testify at the hearing not less than five (5)
9    business days before the scheduled date of the hearing.
10        2. Hearings shall be conducted in a manner providing
11    each person who wishes to comment a fair and reasonable
12    opportunity to comment orally or in writing.
13        3. All hearings will be recorded. A copy of the
14    recording will be made available on request.
15        4. Nothing in this section shall be construed as
16    requiring a separate hearing on each Rule. Rules may be
17    grouped for the convenience of the Commission at hearings
18    required by this section.
19    J. Following the scheduled hearing date, or by the close
20of business on the scheduled hearing date if the hearing was
21not held, the Commission shall consider all written and oral
22comments received.
23    K. If no written notice of intent to attend the public
24hearing by interested parties is received, the Commission may
25proceed with promulgation of the proposed Rule without a
26public hearing.

 

 

SB1655- 33 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1    L. The Commission shall, by majority vote of all members,
2take final action on the proposed Rule and shall determine the
3effective date of the Rule, if any, based on the Rulemaking
4record and the full text of the Rule.
5    M. Upon determination that an emergency exists, the
6Commission may consider and adopt an emergency Rule without
7prior notice, opportunity for comment, or hearing, provided
8that the usual Rulemaking procedures provided in the Compact
9and in this section shall be retroactively applied to the Rule
10as soon as reasonably possible, in no event later than ninety
11(90) days after the effective date of the Rule. For the
12purposes of this provision, an emergency Rule is one that must
13be adopted immediately in order to:
14        1. Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety,
15    or welfare;
16        2. Prevent a loss of Commission or Member State funds;
17        3. Meet a deadline for the promulgation of an
18    administrative Rule that is established by federal law or
19    Rule; or
20        4. Protect public health and safety.
21    N. The Commission or an authorized committee of the
22Commission may direct revisions to a previously adopted Rule
23or amendment for purposes of correcting typographical errors,
24errors in format, errors in consistency, or grammatical
25errors. Public notice of any revision shall be posted on the
26website of the Commission. The revisions shall be subject to

 

 

SB1655- 34 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1challenge by any person for a period of thirty (30) days after
2posting. The revision may be challenged only on grounds that
3the revision results in a material change to a Rule. A
4challenge shall be made in writing and delivered to the chair
5of the Commission prior to the end of the notice period. If no
6challenge is made, the revision will take effect without
7further action. If the revision is challenged, the revision
8may not take effect without the approval of the Commission.
 
9    SECTION 12. OVERSIGHT, DISPUTE RESOLUTION, AND ENFORCEMENT
10    A. Oversight
11        1. The executive, legislative, and judicial branches
12    of State government in each Member State shall enforce
13    this Compact and take all actions necessary and
14    appropriate to effectuate the Compact's purposes and
15    intent. The provisions of this Compact and the Rules
16    promulgated hereunder shall have standing as statutory
17    law.
18        2. All courts shall take judicial notice of the
19    Compact and the Rules in any judicial or administrative
20    proceeding in a Member State pertaining to the subject
21    matter of this Compact which may affect the powers,
22    responsibilities, or actions of the Commission.
23        3. The Commission shall be entitled to receive service
24    of process in any such proceeding and shall have standing
25    to intervene in such a proceeding for all purposes.

 

 

SB1655- 35 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1    Failure to provide service of process to the Commission
2    shall render a judgment or order void as to the
3    Commission, this Compact, or promulgated Rules.
4    B. Default, Technical Assistance, and Termination
5        1. If the Commission determines that a Member State
6    has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or
7    responsibilities under this Compact or the promulgated
8    Rules, the Commission shall:
9            a. Provide written notice to the defaulting State
10        and other Member States of the nature of the default,
11        the proposed means of curing the default and/or any
12        other action to be taken by the Commission; and
13            b. Provide remedial training and specific
14        technical assistance regarding the default.
15    C. If a State in default fails to cure the default, the
16defaulting State may be terminated from the Compact upon an
17affirmative vote of a majority of the Member States, and all
18rights, privileges and benefits conferred by this Compact may
19be terminated on the effective date of termination. A cure of
20the default does not relieve the offending State of
21obligations or liabilities incurred during the period of
22default.
23    D. Termination of membership in the Compact shall be
24imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have
25been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate shall
26be given by the Commission to the governor, the majority and

 

 

SB1655- 36 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1minority leaders of the defaulting State's legislature, and
2each of the Member States.
3    E. A State that has been terminated is responsible for all
4assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the
5effective date of termination, including obligations that
6extend beyond the effective date of termination.
7    F. The Commission shall not bear any costs related to a
8State that is found to be in default or that has been
9terminated from the Compact, unless agreed upon in writing
10between the Commission and the defaulting State.
11    G. The defaulting State may appeal the action of the
12Commission by petitioning the U.S. District Court for the
13District of Columbia or the federal district where the
14Commission has its principal offices. The prevailing member
15shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including
16reasonable attorney's fees.
17    H. Dispute Resolution
18        1. Upon request by a Member State, the Commission
19    shall attempt to resolve disputes related to the Compact
20    that arise among Member States and between member and
21    non-Member States.
22        2. The Commission shall promulgate a Rule providing
23    for both mediation and binding dispute resolution for
24    disputes as appropriate.
25    I. Enforcement
26        1. The Commission, in the reasonable exercise of its

 

 

SB1655- 37 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1    discretion, shall enforce the provisions and Rules of this
2    Compact.
3        2. By majority vote, the Commission may initiate legal
4    action in the United States District Court for the
5    District of Columbia or the federal district where the
6    Commission has its principal offices against a Member
7    State in default to enforce compliance with the provisions
8    of the Compact and its promulgated Rules and bylaws. The
9    relief sought may include both injunctive relief and
10    damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary,
11    the prevailing member shall be awarded all costs of such
12    litigation, including reasonable attorney's fees.
13        3. The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive
14    remedies of the Commission. The Commission may pursue any
15    other remedies available under federal or State law.
 
16    SECTION 13. DATE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COUNSELING
17COMPACT COMMISSION AND ASSOCIATED RULES, WITHDRAWAL, AND
18AMENDMENT
19    A. The Compact shall come into effect on the date on which
20the Compact statute is enacted into law in the tenth Member
21State. The provisions, which become effective at that time,
22shall be limited to the powers granted to the Commission
23relating to assembly and the promulgation of Rules.
24Thereafter, the Commission shall meet and exercise Rulemaking
25powers necessary to the implementation and administration of

 

 

SB1655- 38 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1the Compact.
2    B. Any State that joins the Compact subsequent to the
3Commission's initial adoption of the Rules shall be subject to
4the Rules as they exist on the date on which the Compact
5becomes law in that State. Any Rule that has been previously
6adopted by the Commission shall have the full force and effect
7of law on the day the Compact becomes law in that State.
8    C. Any Member State may withdraw from this Compact by
9enacting a statute repealing the same.
10        1. A Member State's withdrawal shall not take effect
11    until six (6) months after enactment of the repealing
12    statute.
13        2. Withdrawal shall not affect the continuing
14    requirement of the withdrawing State's Professional
15    Counseling Licensing Board to comply with the
16    investigative and Adverse Action reporting requirements of
17    this act prior to the effective date of withdrawal.
18    D. Nothing contained in this Compact shall be construed to
19invalidate or prevent any Professional Counseling licensure
20agreement or other cooperative arrangement between a Member
21State and a non-Member State that does not conflict with the
22provisions of this Compact.
23    E. This Compact may be amended by the Member States. No
24amendment to this Compact shall become effective and binding
25upon any Member State until it is enacted into the laws of all
26Member States.
 

 

 

SB1655- 39 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1    SECTION 14. CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY
2    This Compact shall be liberally construed so as to
3effectuate the purposes thereof. The provisions of this
4Compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence
5or provision of this Compact is declared to be contrary to the
6constitution of any Member State or of the United States or the
7applicability thereof to any government, agency, person or
8circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of
9this Compact and the applicability thereof to any government,
10agency, person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby.
11If this Compact shall be held contrary to the constitution of
12any Member State, the Compact shall remain in full force and
13effect as to the remaining Member States and in full force and
14effect as to the Member State affected as to all severable
15matters.
 
16    SECTION 15. BINDING EFFECT OF COMPACT AND OTHER LAWS
17    A. A Licensee providing Professional Counseling services
18in a Remote State under the Privilege to Practice shall adhere
19to the laws and regulations, including scope of practice, of
20the Remote State.
21    B. Nothing herein prevents the enforcement of any other
22law of a Member State that is not inconsistent with the
23Compact.
24    C. Any laws in a Member State in conflict with the Compact

 

 

SB1655- 40 -LRB103 25502 AMQ 51851 b

1are superseded to the extent of the conflict.
2    D. Any lawful actions of the Commission, including all
3Rules and bylaws properly promulgated by the Commission, are
4binding upon the Member States.
5    E. All permissible agreements between the Commission and
6the Member States are binding in accordance with their terms.
7    F. In the event any provision of the Compact exceeds the
8constitutional limits imposed on the legislature of any Member
9State, the provision shall be ineffective to the extent of the
10conflict with the constitutional provision in question in that
11Member State.
 
12    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
13becoming law.