WashingtonHB 11142025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Concerning the respiratory care interstate compact.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

Cross-state practice for respiratory therapists

Licensed respiratory therapists in member states can work in other member states using a compact privilege. The compact takes effect once seven states enact it. To qualify, you must keep an active home-state license and NBRC credential, have no adverse action in the past two years, pay any required fees, and meet any law test in the other state. You must report address changes within 30 days and accept legal papers by mail. Your privilege lasts until your home license expires or is revoked. If your home license is encumbered, you lose all compact privileges and must wait until it is cleared and then two more years to regain them. Member states cannot discipline you for conduct that was lawful where it happened.

Fee relief for military therapists and spouses

Active duty service members and their spouses can keep a home state while on active duty. They do not pay commission fees for a compact privilege. A remote state may also reduce or waive its own privilege fee. You must still hold a current license in good standing.

Background checks and shared data rules

The state runs criminal background checks for new licenses using fingerprints or biometrics. The compact runs a shared database of licenses, denials, big investigative notes, and adverse actions. States may not upload criminal history records, and expunged records must be removed from the system. Major investigative information is shared only with other member states, and states can mark some data as not public. Washington must license therapists, share data, handle complaints, report adverse actions, follow compact rules, and complete background checks to stay in the compact.

How the compact is run and funded

The law creates a multistate commission to run the compact. The commission makes rules with public notice and hearings, and most meetings are open with 30 days’ notice. Its certified records count as business records in court, and compact rules control over conflicting state laws. The commission provides mediation and can act against states that default; states may also make compatible licensure deals with nonmember states. A state can withdraw only after 180 days and must honor compact licenses for at least 180 days after repeal. The commission can fund operations by charging member states and licensees fees and cannot borrow beyond available funds.

Stronger cross-state investigations and discipline

A remote member state can limit or revoke your compact privilege and issue subpoenas that other member states enforce. The issuing state pays witness travel and related fees, and it may recover investigation costs from you unless law forbids it. Member states can run joint investigations and must share key case materials, which stay confidential unless the states agree to share. A state does not have to answer about conduct that was lawful where it happened.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Mari Leavitt
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Alex Ybarra
Republican • House
Beth Doglio
Democratic • House
Cindy Ryu
Democratic • House
Julia Reed
Democratic • House
Natasha Hill
Democratic • House
Nicole Macri
Democratic • House
Suzanne Schmidt
Republican • House
Tarra Simmons
Democratic • House
Timm Ormsby
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 146 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/4/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 3/4/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 97 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

Effective date 7/27/2025.
4/16/2025House
Chapter 49, 2025 Laws.
4/16/2025House
Governor signed.
4/16/2025legislature
Delivered to Governor.
4/11/2025legislature
President signed.
4/10/2025legislature
Speaker signed.
4/9/2025legislature
Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.
4/4/2025House
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
4/4/2025House
Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
3/26/2025House
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
3/21/2025House
HLTC - Majority; do pass.
3/20/2025House
First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care.
3/6/2025House
Third reading, passed; yeas, 97; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.
3/4/2025House
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
3/4/2025House
Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
2/28/2025House
Referred to Rules 2 Review.
2/13/2025House
APP - Executive action taken by committee.
2/10/2025House
APP - Majority; do pass.
2/10/2025House
Referred to Appropriations.
1/24/2025House
PEW - Majority; do pass.
1/21/2025House
PEW - Executive action taken by committee.
1/21/2025House
First reading, referred to Postsecondary Education & Workforce.
1/13/2025House
Introduced
1/13/2025House

Bill Text

Session Law
4/17/2025
HTML PDF
Bill as Passed Legislature
4/9/2025
HTML PDF
Original Bill
1/13/2025
HTML PDF

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