MarylandSB 01742025 Regular SessionSenate

Interstate Social Work Licensure Compact

Sponsored By: Joanne C. Benson (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Health OccupationsCommittees and CommissionsContracts -see also- ProcurementDisciplineHealth Occupations -see also- (specific health occupations)Internet -see also- Internet AccessInterstate AffairsInvestigations and Inquiries -see also- Crim Bckgrnd InvestLicenses -see also- AB Lic; Certifications; DrLic; PermitsMeetings -see also- Hearings; Open GovernmentNoticesOpen GovernmentRecords -see also- Land Records; Vital RecordsReportsSocial WorkersWork, Labor, and Employment -see also- JobTrn; Leave; etc.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

10 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 6 mixed.

License discipline can stop cross-state practice

Multistate license holders must report restrictions or adverse actions on any professional license to their home state within 30 days. This includes actions by member and nonmember states. Only the home state can discipline the multistate license itself; other member states can remove local practice permission or impose fines. Home-state action stops practice permission in every other member state until all restrictions and order conditions are cleared. Social workers must follow the laws and standards where their client is located when services are provided, including through telehealth.

Social workers gain cross-state license access

Eligible social workers can get a home-state license recognized across member states for the social work categories each state regulates. Applicants must meet degree, competency, continuing-education, and background-check rules and pay applicable fees. Clinical applicants need at least 3,000 supervised hours, two years of full-time practice, or an allowed equivalent. Clinical competency can be shown through a qualifying exam, continuously maintained home-state clinical licensure, or Commission-approved substantial equivalency. Member states must maintain qualifying licensing standards, complaint procedures, criminal-history checks, and shared reporting.

Military families can keep licensing home

Active-duty service members and their spouses with multistate social work licenses can designate a home state where they hold that license. They can keep that designation throughout the service member's active duty. This preserves their licensing home despite military moves.

Social workers gain lawful-conduct protections

A member state cannot discipline a social worker with multistate practice permission for conduct that was lawful in another member state. This protects workers against discipline based solely on lawful conduct in that other state.

Social workers can face compact fees

The Compact Commission can charge fees to social workers who receive multistate licenses. It can also collect annual assessments from member states using a formula set by rule. Collections cover the approved operating budget only to the extent other revenue does not. The law sets no fee or assessment amounts.

License protections when states leave compact

Maryland's October 1, 2025 effective date is contingent on six other states passing substantially similar laws; the Compact activates at seven states. The Commission can deny entry for material constitutional conflicts or end membership by majority vote after an uncured default and exhausted compliance efforts. Terminated states must immediately notify licensees and recognize Compact licenses for at least six months after notice. Withdrawal takes effect 180 days after repeal; states must notify licensees, recognize licenses for at least 180 days after notice, and continue required reporting before withdrawal. Departing states retain prior obligations, and the Compact continues even with fewer than seven members.

Moving social workers must transfer licenses

Social workers moving between member states must immediately apply to the new home state, pay fees, and notify the old state. The new state checks that the prior license is active and unrestricted and requires fingerprint or other biometric background checks. It may also require its exam on state practice laws. Reissuance preserves cross-state access, but the prior multistate license is deactivated. Workers who do not qualify, or move between member and nonmember states, must meet the new state's single-state licensing rules.

Social worker records get shared safeguards

The Commission must maintain a shared licensing system and assign each multistate applicant a unique identifier. States must submit identifying details, license status, denials with dates and reasons, discipline, and significant current investigations, and monitor discipline reports. Alternative-program records are included only when state law does not keep them confidential; significant current investigation information is member-state-only. States can block public release of designated records without express permission, and records later expunged under federal or contributing-state law must be removed. Commission-certified records qualify as authenticated business records under the hearsay exception in member-state proceedings.

States share social worker investigations

Member states must share investigation, litigation, and compliance records, and promptly report discipline for notice to all member states. Home states must give out-of-state reports equal weight, and states can use each other's findings while following their own procedures. A former home state must finish pending investigations after a move and report findings so the new state learns of discipline. Courts enforce member-state licensing subpoenas under local procedures; issuing authorities pay required witness and travel costs, and lawful local conduct has subpoena protections. States can charge affected workers investigation and case costs only when state law permits; the Compact sets no amount.

Joint commission governs social worker licensing

Member states create a joint government commission to run the Compact, and state executive and judicial branches must enforce it. The Compact overrides conflicting state requirements only where they conflict. Commission rules have legal force the day after adoption unless set later, but courts can reject conflicts with state social-work laws or standards. Rulemaking includes public notice and hearings; a majority of member-state legislatures can rescind rules within four years after adoption. Commission personnel receive civil liability protection, legal defense, and payment of covered claims for acts within their duties, excluding intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Joanne C. Benson
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 173 • No: 7

House vote • 4/1/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 127 • No: 7 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 2/27/2025