VirginiaHB5752026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Respiratory Care Interstate Compact; authorizes Virginia to become a signatory to Compact.

Sponsored By: Jackie H. Glass (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. Authorizes Virginia to become a signatory to the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. The Compact allows respiratory therapists who have or are eligible for an active, unencumbered license in the Compact member state where they reside to apply for a multistate license. The Compact has been passed in five states and takes effect when it is enacted by a seventh participating state.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

States share therapist licensure and discipline data

Member states must join a shared Data System and send a uniform set of licensure and discipline records. The system holds license status, adverse actions, denials, and flags for significant investigations and alternative programs. States must tell the Commission about adverse actions and complaints, and they must keep complaint and investigation processes in place. Criminal history records are not sent, and any expunged records must be removed. States must grant Compact Privileges to qualified home-state license holders who meet these rules.

Respiratory therapists can work across states

If you are a respiratory therapist with an active Virginia license and an active NBRC credential, you can practice in other member states by getting a Compact Privilege. You must have had no adverse action in the last two years, notify the Commission, pay any required fees, meet the remote state’s law test, and update your domicile address within 30 days of a change. Your privilege ends if your home-state license expires or is encumbered; you regain it only after the license is clear and two years have passed. Home and remote states can limit or revoke privileges and enforce subpoenas across states, and they can share investigative information. A state cannot discipline you for conduct that was legal where it happened, and it may bill you for investigation costs unless its law forbids it.

Virginia joins the Respiratory Care Compact

Virginia joins the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. The Compact takes effect when the seventh state enacts the same law. After that date, Virginia therapists can seek Compact Privileges to practice in other member states. The Commission then meets and reviews the first seven states’ laws for differences from the model.

Therapist licensing fees and background checks

The state runs a criminal background check when you first apply for a respiratory therapist license. You must give fingerprints or other biometric data so the FBI and the state can provide records. States and the Compact Commission can charge fees to grant or renew a Compact Privilege. Active-duty service members and their spouses do not pay Commission fees, and remote states may cut or waive their own fees for them.

Compact commission, rules, and public meetings

The law creates a multistate Commission with one official from each member state. The Commission can make binding rules after public notice and hearings; emergency rules need at least 24 hours’ notice and must follow normal steps within 90 days. Most Commission meetings are open to the public with 30 days’ notice, and hearings are recorded. State legislatures can reject a Commission rule by majority within four years. A state can leave the Compact 180 days after repealing its law; it must notify licensees and keep recognizing Compact licenses for at least 180 days, and the Commission can also terminate a defaulting state after notice.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jackie H. Glass

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 223 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/27/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/27/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/26/2026

Reported from Education and Health

Yes: 15 • No: 0

House vote 2/2/2026

Read third time and passed House Block Vote

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote 1/27/2026

Reported from Health and Human Services

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote 1/22/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0177)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 177 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/6/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/10/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026House
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB575)

    3/6/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB575ER)

    3/6/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/6/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/6/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/6/2026House
  10. Passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/2/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    3/2/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/27/2026Senate
  13. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/27/2026Senate
  14. Rules suspended

    2/27/2026Senate
  15. Reported from Education and Health (15-Y 0-N)

    2/26/2026Senate
  16. Assigned Education sub: Health Professions

    2/20/2026Senate
  17. Referred to Committee on Education and Health

    2/3/2026Senate
  18. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/3/2026Senate
  19. Read third time and passed House Block Vote (99-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/2/2026House
  20. Read second time and engrossed

    1/30/2026House
  21. Read first time

    1/29/2026House
  22. Reported from Health and Human Services (22-Y 0-N)

    1/27/2026House
  23. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB575)

    1/26/2026House
  24. Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)

    1/22/2026House
  25. Assigned sub: Health Professions

    1/21/2026House

Bill Text

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