WashingtonHB 11142025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Concerning the respiratory care interstate compact.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 6 mixed.

Respiratory therapists gain cross-state practice options

Washington's law takes effect July 27, 2025; the compact starts when the seventh member state enacts it. Therapists can practice across member states without separate licenses, using an active, unrestricted home-state license and qualifying National Board for Respiratory Care credential. They must notify the commission, pay applicable fees, and meet reporting, home-address, and destination-state legal knowledge requirements. The patient's location determines where practice occurs, and that state's practice rules apply. License expiration, revocation, or disciplinary action can end privileges; home-license restrictions trigger a two-year waiting period before reinstatement. The compact continues even if membership falls below seven.

Military therapists and spouses get fee relief

Beginning July 27, 2025, active military members and their spouses can designate a home state for compact practice. They must hold a current license in good standing in that state. They do not pay the commission's compact-privilege fee. A destination state may charge a reduced fee or waive its fee.

Therapists face discipline with lawful-conduct protections

Beginning July 27, 2025, states keep authority to investigate therapists and discipline licenses under their own procedures. Destination states can investigate practice and restrict compact privileges within their borders, including using information shared by other members. States cannot punish conduct that was legal where it occurred. Destination states cannot subpoena evidence of that lawful conduct to act against a privilege or application. States may charge therapists investigation and case-resolution costs unless state law prohibits it.

Therapists get transition time when states leave

A state can leave by repealing the compact; withdrawal takes effect 180 days after enactment. States must notify affected therapists and recognize compact licenses for at least 180 days after withdrawal or termination notice. Reporting and investigation duties continue until withdrawal takes effect. After notice, an opportunity to fix violations, and exhausted compliance efforts, a majority of member-state commissioners can terminate a defaulting state. The commission can also deny or end participation for material constitutional conflicts; termination follows compact procedures, and terminated states remain responsible for obligations incurred during default.

Compact officials gain limited lawsuit protection

Beginning July 27, 2025, member states and specified commission personnel receive immunity for covered acts within their compact duties. The commission must defend covered personnel and cover qualifying settlements and judgments. These protections do not apply to intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct. The compact also preserves existing state sovereign and antitrust immunities.

States share therapist records with privacy limits

Beginning July 27, 2025, Washington must meet compact duties, including licensing therapists, investigating complaints, and granting privileges to qualifying therapists. Member states must check each new licensee's criminal background at initial licensing, as federal law permits. The commission must maintain a shared database of licenses, disciplinary actions, denial reasons, and significant investigation information. States must submit required records, including nonprivate alternative-program participation details, but cannot submit criminal history records. Significant investigation information is limited to member states; state law can protect other records, and legally erased information must be removed.

Therapist compact commission sets rules and fees

Washington's law, effective July 27, 2025, establishes a joint member-state commission to run the compact, with one vote per state. It can charge therapists fees and states annual assessments, divided by a commission formula; the law sets no amounts. Its rules have legal force, follow public notice and hearing procedures, and override conflicting state requirements, including later ones. A majority of member-state legislatures can end a rule by rejecting it within four years after adoption. The commission must undergo an annual independent financial review, limit obligations to available funds or secured borrowing, and obtain express authority before pledging state credit.

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