S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   7946
 
                        2023-2024 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                              August 4, 2023
                                ___________
 
 Introduced by M. of A. MILLER -- read once and referred to the Committee
   on Higher Education
 
 AN  ACT  to  amend the education law, in relation to adopting the inter-
   state nurse licensure compact (Part A); and  to  amend  the  education
   law,  in  relation  to adopting the advanced practice registered nurse
   compact (Part B)

   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. This act enacts into law components of legislation relating
 to  enacting  the  interstate  nurse  licensure compact and the advanced
 practice registered nurse compact. Each component  is  wholly  contained
 within  a  Part  identified as Parts A through B. The effective date for
 each particular provision contained within such Part is set forth in the
 last section of such Part. Any provision in any section contained within
 a Part, including the effective date of the Part, which makes  reference
 to a section "of this act", when used in connection with that particular
 component,  shall  be  deemed  to  mean  and  refer to the corresponding
 section of the Part in which it is found. Section three of this act sets
 forth the general effective date of this act.
 
                                  PART A
 
   Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new  section  6912
 to read as follows:
   §  6912.  INTERSTATE  NURSE  LICENSURE  COMPACT.  THE INTERSTATE NURSE
 LICENSURE COMPACT IS HEREBY ENACTED INTO LAW AND ENTERED INTO  WITH  ALL
 JURISDICTIONS  LEGALLY  JOINING  THEREIN  IN  THE  FORM SUBSTANTIALLY AS
 FOLLOWS:
 
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD11345-01-3
 A. 7946                             2
 
              

                    INTERSTATE NURSE LICENSURE COMPACT
                                ARTICLE I.
                    FINDINGS AND DECLARATION OF PURPOSE
   A. THE PARTY STATES FIND THAT:
   1.  THE  HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC ARE AFFECTED BY THE DEGREE OF
 COMPLIANCE WITH AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES  RELATED
 TO STATE NURSE LICENSURE LAWS;
   2.  VIOLATIONS  OF NURSE LICENSURE AND OTHER LAWS REGULATING THE PRAC-
 TICE OF NURSING MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR HARM TO THE PUBLIC;
   3. THE EXPANDED MOBILITY OF NURSES AND THE USE  OF  ADVANCED  COMMUNI-
 CATION  TECHNOLOGIES AS PART OF OUR NATION'S HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM
 REQUIRE GREATER COORDINATION AND COOPERATION AMONG STATES IN  THE  AREAS
 OF NURSE LICENSURE AND REGULATION;
   4.  NEW  PRACTICE MODALITIES AND TECHNOLOGY MAKE COMPLIANCE WITH INDI-
 VIDUAL STATE NURSE LICENSURE LAWS DIFFICULT AND COMPLEX;
   5. THE CURRENT SYSTEM OF DUPLICATIVE LICENSURE FOR  NURSES  PRACTICING
 IN  MULTIPLE  STATES  IS  CUMBERSOME  AND  REDUNDANT FOR BOTH NURSES AND
 STATES; AND
   6. UNIFORMITY OF NURSE LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS  THROUGHOUT  THE  STATES
 PROMOTES PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC HEALTH BENEFITS.
   B. THE GENERAL PURPOSES OF THIS COMPACT ARE TO:
   1.  FACILITATE  THE  STATES'  RESPONSIBILITY  TO  PROTECT THE PUBLIC'S
 HEALTH AND SAFETY;
   2. ENSURE AND ENCOURAGE THE COOPERATION OF PARTY STATES IN  THE  AREAS
 OF NURSE LICENSURE AND REGULATION;
   3.  FACILITATE THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION BETWEEN PARTY STATES IN THE
 AREAS OF NURSE REGULATION, INVESTIGATION AND ADVERSE ACTIONS;
   4. PROMOTE COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAWS GOVERNING THE PRACTICE OF  NURSING
 IN EACH JURISDICTION;
   5. INVEST ALL PARTY STATES WITH THE AUTHORITY TO HOLD A NURSE ACCOUNT-
 ABLE  FOR  MEETING  ALL  STATE  PRACTICE  LAWS IN THE STATE IN WHICH THE
 PATIENT IS LOCATED AT THE TIME  CARE  IS  RENDERED  THROUGH  THE  MUTUAL
 RECOGNITION OF PARTY STATE LICENSES;
   6.  DECREASE  REDUNDANCIES  IN THE CONSIDERATION AND ISSUANCE OF NURSE
 LICENSES; AND
   7. PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERSTATE PRACTICE BY  NURSES  WHO  MEET
 UNIFORM LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS.

                                ARTICLE II.
                                DEFINITIONS
 
   AS USED IN THIS COMPACT:
   A.  "ADVERSE  ACTION"  MEANS  ANY  ADMINISTRATIVE, CIVIL, EQUITABLE OR
 CRIMINAL ACTION PERMITTED BY A  STATE'S  LAWS  WHICH  IS  IMPOSED  BY  A
 LICENSING  BOARD  OR  OTHER AUTHORITY AGAINST A NURSE, INCLUDING ACTIONS
 AGAINST AN INDIVIDUAL'S LICENSE OR MULTISTATE LICENSURE  PRIVILEGE  SUCH
 AS  REVOCATION, SUSPENSION, PROBATION, MONITORING OF THE LICENSEE, LIMI-
 TATION ON THE LICENSEE'S PRACTICE, OR ANY OTHER ENCUMBRANCE ON LICENSURE
 AFFECTING A NURSE'S AUTHORIZATION TO PRACTICE, INCLUDING ISSUANCE  OF  A
 CEASE AND DESIST ACTION.
   B.  "ALTERNATIVE  PROGRAM" MEANS A NON-DISCIPLINARY MONITORING PROGRAM
 APPROVED BY A LICENSING BOARD.
   C. "COORDINATED LICENSURE  INFORMATION  SYSTEM"  MEANS  AN  INTEGRATED
 PROCESS  FOR COLLECTING, STORING AND SHARING INFORMATION ON NURSE LICEN-
 SURE AND ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES RELATED TO NURSE LICENSURE LAWS THAT  IS
 A. 7946                             3
 
 ADMINISTERED  BY  A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION COMPOSED OF AND CONTROLLED BY
 LICENSING BOARDS.
   D. "CURRENT SIGNIFICANT INVESTIGATIVE INFORMATION" MEANS:
   1.  INVESTIGATIVE INFORMATION THAT A LICENSING BOARD, AFTER A PRELIMI-
 NARY INQUIRY THAT INCLUDES NOTIFICATION AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE NURSE
 TO RESPOND, IF REQUIRED BY STATE LAW,  HAS  REASON  TO  BELIEVE  IS  NOT
 GROUNDLESS AND, IF PROVED TRUE, WOULD INDICATE MORE THAN A MINOR INFRAC-
 TION; OR
   2.  INVESTIGATIVE INFORMATION THAT INDICATES THAT THE NURSE REPRESENTS
 AN IMMEDIATE THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY  REGARDLESS  OF  WHETHER
 THE NURSE HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND.
   E.  "ENCUMBRANCE"  MEANS A REVOCATION OR SUSPENSION OF, OR ANY LIMITA-
 TION ON, THE FULL AND UNRESTRICTED PRACTICE  OF  NURSING  IMPOSED  BY  A
 LICENSING BOARD.
   F.  "HOME  STATE"  MEANS  THE PARTY STATE WHICH IS THE NURSE'S PRIMARY
 STATE OF RESIDENCE.
   G. "LICENSING BOARD" MEANS A PARTY STATE'S REGULATORY BODY RESPONSIBLE
 FOR ISSUING NURSE LICENSES.
   H. "MULTISTATE LICENSE" MEANS A LICENSE TO PRACTICE AS A REGISTERED OR
 A LICENSED PRACTICAL/VOCATIONAL NURSE (LPN/VN) ISSUED BY  A  HOME  STATE
 LICENSING  BOARD  THAT  AUTHORIZES THE LICENSED NURSE TO PRACTICE IN ALL
 PARTY STATES UNDER A MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVILEGE.
   I. "MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVILEGE" MEANS A LEGAL AUTHORIZATION  ASSO-
 CIATED  WITH  A MULTISTATE LICENSE PERMITTING THE PRACTICE OF NURSING AS
 EITHER A REGISTERED NURSE (RN) OR LPN/VN IN A REMOTE STATE.
   J. "NURSE" MEANS RN OR LPN/VN, AS THOSE  TERMS  ARE  DEFINED  BY  EACH
 PARTY STATE'S PRACTICE LAWS.
   K. "PARTY STATE" MEANS ANY STATE THAT HAS ADOPTED THIS COMPACT.
   L. "REMOTE STATE" MEANS A PARTY STATE, OTHER THAN THE HOME STATE.
   M.  "SINGLE-STATE  LICENSE"  MEANS  A  NURSE LICENSE ISSUED BY A PARTY
 STATE THAT AUTHORIZES PRACTICE ONLY WITHIN THE ISSUING  STATE  AND  DOES
 NOT  INCLUDE  A  MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVILEGE TO PRACTICE IN ANY OTHER
 PARTY STATE.
   N. "STATE" MEANS A STATE, TERRITORY OR POSSESSION OF THE UNITED STATES
 AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
   O. "STATE PRACTICE LAWS" MEANS A PARTY STATE'S LAWS, RULES  AND  REGU-
 LATIONS THAT GOVERN THE PRACTICE OF NURSING, DEFINE THE SCOPE OF NURSING
 PRACTICE,  AND  CREATE  THE METHODS AND GROUNDS FOR IMPOSING DISCIPLINE.
 "STATE PRACTICE LAWS" DO NOT INCLUDE REQUIREMENTS  NECESSARY  TO  OBTAIN
 AND  RETAIN  A LICENSE, EXCEPT FOR QUALIFICATIONS OR REQUIREMENTS OF THE
 HOME STATE.

                               ARTICLE III.
                    GENERAL PROVISIONS AND JURISDICTION
 
   A.  A  MULTISTATE  LICENSE  TO   PRACTICE   REGISTERED   OR   LICENSED
 PRACTICAL/VOCATIONAL  NURSING  ISSUED  BY  A HOME STATE TO A RESIDENT IN
 THAT STATE WILL BE RECOGNIZED BY EACH PARTY STATE AS AUTHORIZING A NURSE
 TO  PRACTICE  AS  A   REGISTERED   NURSE   (RN)   OR   AS   A   LICENSED
 PRACTICAL/VOCATIONAL NURSE (LPN/VN), UNDER A MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVI-
 LEGE, IN EACH PARTY STATE.
   B.  A  STATE  MUST  IMPLEMENT  PROCEDURES FOR CONSIDERING THE CRIMINAL
 HISTORY RECORDS OF APPLICANTS FOR INITIAL MULTISTATE LICENSE  OR  LICEN-
 SURE  BY  ENDORSEMENT.  SUCH  PROCEDURES SHALL INCLUDE THE SUBMISSION OF
 FINGERPRINTS OR OTHER BIOMETRIC-BASED INFORMATION BY APPLICANTS FOR  THE
 PURPOSE  OF OBTAINING AN APPLICANT'S CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD INFORMATION
 A. 7946                             4
 
 FROM THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION AND THE AGENCY RESPONSIBLE  FOR
 RETAINING THAT STATE'S CRIMINAL RECORDS.
   C.  EACH  PARTY  STATE SHALL REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING FOR AN APPLICANT TO
 OBTAIN OR RETAIN A MULTISTATE LICENSE IN THE HOME STATE:
   1. MEETS THE HOME STATE'S QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSURE OR  RENEWAL  OF
 LICENSURE, AS WELL AS, ALL OTHER APPLICABLE STATE LAWS;
   2. I. HAS GRADUATED OR IS ELIGIBLE TO GRADUATE FROM A LICENSING BOARD-
 APPROVED RN OR LPN/VN PRELICENSURE EDUCATION PROGRAM; OR
   II.  HAS  GRADUATED FROM A FOREIGN RN OR LPN/VN PRELICENSURE EDUCATION
 PROGRAM THAT (A) HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE AUTHORIZED ACCREDITING BODY IN
 THE APPLICABLE COUNTRY AND (B)  HAS  BEEN  VERIFIED  BY  AN  INDEPENDENT
 CREDENTIALS REVIEW AGENCY TO BE COMPARABLE TO A LICENSING BOARD-APPROVED
 PRELICENSURE EDUCATION PROGRAM;
   3.  HAS, IF A GRADUATE OF A FOREIGN PRELICENSURE EDUCATION PROGRAM NOT
 TAUGHT IN ENGLISH OR IF ENGLISH IS NOT THE INDIVIDUAL'S NATIVE LANGUAGE,
 SUCCESSFULLY PASSED AN ENGLISH PROFICIENCY EXAMINATION THAT INCLUDES THE
 COMPONENTS OF READING, SPEAKING, WRITING AND LISTENING;
   4. HAS SUCCESSFULLY PASSED AN  NCLEX-RN  OR  NCLEX-PN  EXAMINATION  OR
 RECOGNIZED PREDECESSOR, AS APPLICABLE;
   5. IS ELIGIBLE FOR OR HOLDS AN ACTIVE, UNENCUMBERED LICENSE;
   6. HAS SUBMITTED, IN CONNECTION WITH AN APPLICATION FOR INITIAL LICEN-
 SURE  OR  LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT, FINGERPRINTS OR OTHER BIOMETRIC DATA
 FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING CRIMINAL HISTORY  RECORD  INFORMATION  FROM
 THE  FEDERAL  BUREAU  OF  INVESTIGATION  AND  THE AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR
 RETAINING THAT STATE'S CRIMINAL RECORDS;
   7. HAS NOT BEEN CONVICTED OR FOUND GUILTY,  OR  HAS  ENTERED  INTO  AN
 AGREED DISPOSITION, OF A FELONY OFFENSE UNDER APPLICABLE STATE OR FEDER-
 AL CRIMINAL LAW;
   8.  HAS  NOT  BEEN  CONVICTED  OR FOUND GUILTY, OR HAS ENTERED INTO AN
 AGREED DISPOSITION, OF A MISDEMEANOR OFFENSE RELATED TO THE PRACTICE  OF
 NURSING AS DETERMINED ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS;
   9. IS NOT CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN AN ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM;
   10.  IS  SUBJECT  TO  SELF-DISCLOSURE  REQUIREMENTS  REGARDING CURRENT
 PARTICIPATION IN AN ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM; AND
   11. HAS A VALID UNITED STATES SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.
   D. ALL PARTY STATES SHALL BE AUTHORIZED, IN ACCORDANCE  WITH  EXISTING
 STATE  DUE  PROCESS LAW, TO TAKE ADVERSE ACTION AGAINST A NURSE'S MULTI-
 STATE LICENSURE PRIVILEGE SUCH AS REVOCATION, SUSPENSION,  PROBATION  OR
 ANY  OTHER ACTION THAT AFFECTS A NURSE'S AUTHORIZATION TO PRACTICE UNDER
 A MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVILEGE, INCLUDING CEASE  AND  DESIST  ACTIONS.
 IF  A PARTY STATE TAKES SUCH ACTION, IT SHALL PROMPTLY NOTIFY THE ADMIN-
 ISTRATOR OF THE COORDINATED LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM.  THE  ADMINIS-
 TRATOR  OF  THE  COORDINATED LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM SHALL PROMPTLY
 NOTIFY THE HOME STATE OF ANY SUCH ACTIONS BY REMOTE STATES.
   E. A NURSE PRACTICING IN A PARTY STATE  MUST  COMPLY  WITH  THE  STATE
 PRACTICE  LAWS  OF  THE STATE IN WHICH THE CLIENT IS LOCATED AT THE TIME
 SERVICE IS PROVIDED. THE PRACTICE OF NURSING IS NOT LIMITED  TO  PATIENT
 CARE,  BUT  SHALL  INCLUDE  ALL NURSING PRACTICE AS DEFINED BY THE STATE
 PRACTICE LAWS OF THE PARTY STATE IN WHICH THE  CLIENT  IS  LOCATED.  THE
 PRACTICE OF NURSING IN A PARTY STATE UNDER A MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVI-
 LEGE  WILL  SUBJECT  A NURSE TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE LICENSING BOARD,
 THE COURTS AND THE LAWS OF THE  PARTY  STATE  IN  WHICH  THE  CLIENT  IS
 LOCATED AT THE TIME SERVICE IS PROVIDED.
   F. INDIVIDUALS NOT RESIDING IN A PARTY STATE SHALL CONTINUE TO BE ABLE
 TO  APPLY FOR A PARTY STATE'S SINGLE-STATE LICENSE AS PROVIDED UNDER THE
 LAWS OF EACH PARTY STATE. HOWEVER, THE SINGLE-STATE LICENSE  GRANTED  TO
 A. 7946                             5
 
 THESE  INDIVIDUALS  WILL  NOT BE RECOGNIZED AS GRANTING THE PRIVILEGE TO
 PRACTICE NURSING IN ANY OTHER PARTY STATE. NOTHING IN THIS COMPACT SHALL
 AFFECT THE REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED BY A PARTY STATE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF
 A SINGLE-STATE LICENSE.
   G. ANY NURSE HOLDING A HOME STATE MULTISTATE LICENSE, ON THE EFFECTIVE
 DATE OF THIS COMPACT, MAY RETAIN AND RENEW THE MULTISTATE LICENSE ISSUED
 BY THE NURSE'S THEN-CURRENT HOME STATE, PROVIDED THAT:
   1.  A  NURSE,  WHO  CHANGES  PRIMARY  STATE  OF  RESIDENCE  AFTER THIS
 COMPACT'S EFFECTIVE DATE,  MUST  MEET  ALL  APPLICABLE  REQUIREMENTS  OF
 SUBDIVISION  C OF THIS ARTICLE TO OBTAIN A MULTISTATE LICENSE FROM A NEW
 HOME STATE.
   2. A NURSE WHO FAILS TO SATISFY THE MULTISTATE LICENSURE  REQUIREMENTS
 IN  SUBDIVISION  C OF THIS ARTICLE.  DUE TO A DISQUALIFYING EVENT OCCUR-
 RING AFTER THIS COMPACT'S EFFECTIVE DATE SHALL BE INELIGIBLE  TO  RETAIN
 OR  RENEW A MULTISTATE LICENSE, AND THE NURSE'S MULTISTATE LICENSE SHALL
 BE REVOKED OR DEACTIVATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE RULES ADOPTED BY
 THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION  OF  NURSE  LICENSURE  COMPACT  ADMINISTRATORS
 ("COMMISSION").
 
                                ARTICLE IV.
                APPLICATIONS FOR LICENSURE IN A PARTY STATE
 
   A.  UPON  APPLICATION FOR A MULTISTATE LICENSE, THE LICENSING BOARD IN
 THE ISSUING PARTY STATE SHALL ASCERTAIN, THROUGH THE COORDINATED  LICEN-
 SURE  INFORMATION SYSTEM, WHETHER THE APPLICANT HAS EVER HELD, OR IS THE
 HOLDER OF, A LICENSE ISSUED BY ANY OTHER STATE, WHETHER  THERE  ARE  ANY
 ENCUMBRANCES  ON  ANY  LICENSE OR MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVILEGE HELD BY
 THE APPLICANT, WHETHER ANY ADVERSE ACTION HAS  BEEN  TAKEN  AGAINST  ANY
 LICENSE  OR  MULTISTATE  LICENSURE  PRIVILEGE  HELD BY THE APPLICANT AND
 WHETHER THE APPLICANT  IS  CURRENTLY  PARTICIPATING  IN  AN  ALTERNATIVE
 PROGRAM.
   B. A NURSE MAY HOLD A MULTISTATE LICENSE, ISSUED BY THE HOME STATE, IN
 ONLY ONE PARTY STATE AT A TIME.
   C. IF A NURSE CHANGES PRIMARY STATE OF RESIDENCE BY MOVING BETWEEN TWO
 PARTY  STATES, THE NURSE MUST APPLY FOR LICENSURE IN THE NEW HOME STATE,
 AND THE MULTISTATE LICENSE ISSUED BY THE PRIOR HOME STATE WILL BE  DEAC-
 TIVATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE RULES ADOPTED BY THE COMMISSION.
   1. THE NURSE MAY APPLY FOR LICENSURE IN ADVANCE OF A CHANGE IN PRIMARY
 STATE OF RESIDENCE.
   2.  A  MULTISTATE  LICENSE  SHALL  NOT BE ISSUED BY THE NEW HOME STATE
 UNTIL THE NURSE PROVIDES SATISFACTORY EVIDENCE OF A  CHANGE  IN  PRIMARY
 STATE  OF  RESIDENCE  TO THE NEW HOME STATE AND SATISFIES ALL APPLICABLE
 REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A MULTISTATE LICENSE FROM THE NEW HOME STATE.
   D. IF A NURSE CHANGES PRIMARY STATE OF  RESIDENCE  BY  MOVING  FROM  A
 PARTY  STATE  TO A NON-PARTY STATE, THE MULTISTATE LICENSE ISSUED BY THE
 PRIOR HOME STATE WILL CONVERT TO A SINGLE-STATE LICENSE, VALID  ONLY  IN
 THE FORMER HOME STATE.
 
                                ARTICLE V.
      ADDITIONAL AUTHORITIES INVESTED IN PARTY STATE LICENSING BOARDS
 
   A. IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER POWERS CONFERRED BY STATE LAW, A LICENSING
 BOARD SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO:
   1.  TAKE  ADVERSE ACTION AGAINST A NURSE'S MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVI-
 LEGE TO PRACTICE WITHIN THAT PARTY STATE.
 A. 7946                             6
 
   I. ONLY THE HOME STATE SHALL HAVE THE POWER  TO  TAKE  ADVERSE  ACTION
 AGAINST A NURSE'S LICENSE ISSUED BY THE HOME STATE.
   II.  FOR  PURPOSES  OF TAKING ADVERSE ACTION, THE HOME STATE LICENSING
 BOARD SHALL GIVE THE  SAME  PRIORITY  AND  EFFECT  TO  REPORTED  CONDUCT
 RECEIVED  FROM  A  REMOTE STATE AS IT WOULD IF SUCH CONDUCT HAD OCCURRED
 WITHIN THE HOME STATE. IN SO DOING, THE HOME STATE SHALL APPLY  ITS  OWN
 STATE LAWS TO DETERMINE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
   2. ISSUE CEASE AND DESIST ORDERS OR IMPOSE AN ENCUMBRANCE ON A NURSE'S
 AUTHORITY TO PRACTICE WITHIN THAT PARTY STATE.
   3.  COMPLETE ANY PENDING INVESTIGATIONS OF A NURSE WHO CHANGES PRIMARY
 STATE OF RESIDENCE DURING THE COURSE OF SUCH INVESTIGATIONS. THE LICENS-
 ING BOARD SHALL ALSO HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO  TAKE  APPROPRIATE  ACTION(S)
 AND  SHALL PROMPTLY REPORT THE CONCLUSIONS OF SUCH INVESTIGATIONS TO THE
 ADMINISTRATOR OF  THE  COORDINATED  LICENSURE  INFORMATION  SYSTEM.  THE
 ADMINISTRATOR  OF  THE  COORDINATED  LICENSURE  INFORMATION SYSTEM SHALL
 PROMPTLY NOTIFY THE NEW HOME STATE OF ANY SUCH ACTIONS.
   4. ISSUE SUBPOENAS FOR BOTH HEARINGS AND INVESTIGATIONS  THAT  REQUIRE
 THE ATTENDANCE AND TESTIMONY OF WITNESSES, AS WELL AS, THE PRODUCTION OF
 EVIDENCE. SUBPOENAS ISSUED BY A LICENSING BOARD IN A PARTY STATE FOR THE
 ATTENDANCE AND TESTIMONY OF WITNESSES OR THE PRODUCTION OF EVIDENCE FROM
 ANOTHER  PARTY  STATE SHALL BE ENFORCED IN THE LATTER STATE BY ANY COURT
 OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION, ACCORDING TO THE PRACTICE  AND  PROCEDURE  OF
 THAT  COURT APPLICABLE TO SUBPOENAS ISSUED IN PROCEEDINGS PENDING BEFORE
 IT. THE ISSUING AUTHORITY SHALL PAY ANY WITNESS FEES,  TRAVEL  EXPENSES,
 MILEAGE  AND OTHER FEES REQUIRED BY THE SERVICE STATUTES OF THE STATE IN
 WHICH THE WITNESSES OR EVIDENCE ARE LOCATED.
   5. OBTAIN AND SUBMIT, FOR EACH NURSE LICENSURE APPLICANT,  FINGERPRINT
 OR  OTHER  BIOMETRIC-BASED INFORMATION TO THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTI-
 GATION FOR CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS, RECEIVE THE RESULTS OF THE FEDER-
 AL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION RECORD SEARCH ON CRIMINAL  BACKGROUND  CHECKS
 AND USE THE RESULTS IN MAKING LICENSURE DECISIONS.
   6.  IF  OTHERWISE  PERMITTED  BY  STATE LAW, RECOVER FROM THE AFFECTED
 NURSE THE COSTS OF INVESTIGATIONS AND  DISPOSITION  OF  CASES  RESULTING
 FROM ANY ADVERSE ACTION TAKEN AGAINST THAT NURSE.
   7.  TAKE  ADVERSE  ACTION  BASED ON THE FACTUAL FINDINGS OF THE REMOTE
 STATE, PROVIDED THAT THE LICENSING BOARD FOLLOWS ITS OWN PROCEDURES  FOR
 TAKING SUCH ADVERSE ACTION.
   B.  IF  ADVERSE  ACTION  IS  TAKEN BY THE HOME STATE AGAINST A NURSE'S
 MULTISTATE LICENSE, THE NURSE'S MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVILEGE TO  PRAC-
 TICE  IN  ALL  OTHER  PARTY STATES SHALL BE DEACTIVATED UNTIL ALL ENCUM-
 BRANCES HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE MULTISTATE LICENSE.  ALL  HOME  STATE
 DISCIPLINARY  ORDERS THAT IMPOSE ADVERSE ACTION AGAINST A NURSE'S MULTI-
 STATE LICENSE SHALL INCLUDE A  STATEMENT  THAT  THE  NURSE'S  MULTISTATE
 LICENSURE  PRIVILEGE  IS  DEACTIVATED  IN  ALL  PARTY  STATES DURING THE
 PENDENCY OF THE ORDER.
   C. NOTHING IN THIS COMPACT SHALL OVERRIDE  A  PARTY  STATE'S  DECISION
 THAT  PARTICIPATION  IN  AN  ALTERNATIVE  PROGRAM MAY BE USED IN LIEU OF
 ADVERSE ACTION. THE HOME STATE  LICENSING  BOARD  SHALL  DEACTIVATE  THE
 MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVILEGE UNDER THE MULTISTATE LICENSE OF ANY NURSE
 FOR THE DURATION OF THE NURSE'S PARTICIPATION IN AN ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM.
 
                                ARTICLE VI.
   COORDINATED LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM AND EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION
 
   A.  ALL  PARTY  STATES  SHALL  PARTICIPATE  IN A COORDINATED LICENSURE
 INFORMATION SYSTEM OF ALL LICENSED REGISTERED NURSES (RNS) AND  LICENSED
 A. 7946                             7
 
 PRACTICAL/VOCATIONAL  NURSES (LPNS/VNS). THIS SYSTEM WILL INCLUDE INFOR-
 MATION ON THE LICENSURE AND  DISCIPLINARY  HISTORY  OF  EACH  NURSE,  AS
 SUBMITTED BY PARTY STATES, TO ASSIST IN THE COORDINATION OF NURSE LICEN-
 SURE AND ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS.
   B. THE COMMISSION, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE COOR-
 DINATED  LICENSURE  INFORMATION  SYSTEM,  SHALL  FORMULATE NECESSARY AND
 PROPER PROCEDURES FOR THE IDENTIFICATION,  COLLECTION  AND  EXCHANGE  OF
 INFORMATION UNDER THIS COMPACT.
   C.  ALL  LICENSING  BOARDS  SHALL  PROMPTLY  REPORT TO THE COORDINATED
 LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM ANY ADVERSE ACTION, ANY CURRENT SIGNIFICANT
 INVESTIGATIVE INFORMATION, DENIALS OF APPLICATIONS (WITH THE REASONS FOR
 SUCH DENIALS) AND NURSE PARTICIPATION IN ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS  KNOWN  TO
 THE  LICENSING  BOARD REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH PARTICIPATION IS DEEMED
 NONPUBLIC OR CONFIDENTIAL UNDER STATE LAW.
   D. CURRENT SIGNIFICANT INVESTIGATIVE INFORMATION AND PARTICIPATION  IN
 NONPUBLIC  OR  CONFIDENTIAL  ALTERNATIVE  PROGRAMS  SHALL BE TRANSMITTED
 THROUGH THE COORDINATED LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM ONLY TO PARTY STATE
 LICENSING BOARDS.
   E. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, ALL PARTY STATE LICENS-
 ING BOARDS CONTRIBUTING INFORMATION TO THE COORDINATED LICENSURE  INFOR-
 MATION  SYSTEM  MAY  DESIGNATE  INFORMATION  THAT MAY NOT BE SHARED WITH
 NON-PARTY STATES OR DISCLOSED TO OTHER ENTITIES OR  INDIVIDUALS  WITHOUT
 THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF THE CONTRIBUTING STATE.
   F.  ANY  PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THE COORDI-
 NATED LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM BY  A  PARTY  STATE  LICENSING  BOARD
 SHALL NOT BE SHARED WITH NON-PARTY STATES OR DISCLOSED TO OTHER ENTITIES
 OR  INDIVIDUALS  EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY THE LAWS OF THE PARTY
 STATE CONTRIBUTING THE INFORMATION.
   G. ANY INFORMATION CONTRIBUTED TO THE COORDINATED  LICENSURE  INFORMA-
 TION  SYSTEM THAT IS SUBSEQUENTLY REQUIRED TO BE EXPUNGED BY THE LAWS OF
 THE PARTY STATE CONTRIBUTING THAT INFORMATION  SHALL  ALSO  BE  EXPUNGED
 FROM THE COORDINATED LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM.
   H.  THE  COMPACT  ADMINISTRATOR  OF  EACH  PARTY STATE SHALL FURNISH A
 UNIFORM DATA SET TO THE COMPACT ADMINISTRATOR OF EACH OTHER PARTY STATE,
 WHICH SHALL INCLUDE, AT A MINIMUM:
   1. IDENTIFYING INFORMATION;
   2. LICENSURE DATA;
   3. INFORMATION RELATED TO ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM PARTICIPATION; AND
   4. OTHER INFORMATION THAT MAY FACILITATE THE  ADMINISTRATION  OF  THIS
 COMPACT, AS DETERMINED BY COMMISSION RULES.
   I. THE COMPACT ADMINISTRATOR OF A PARTY STATE SHALL PROVIDE ALL INVES-
 TIGATIVE DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION REQUESTED BY ANOTHER PARTY STATE.
 
                               ARTICLE VII.
   ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION OF NURSE LICENSURE COMPACT
                              ADMINISTRATORS
 
   A.  THE PARTY STATES HEREBY CREATE AND ESTABLISH A JOINT PUBLIC ENTITY
 KNOWN AS THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION OF NURSE LICENSURE  COMPACT  ADMINIS-
 TRATORS.
   1. THE COMMISSION IS AN INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE PARTY STATES.
   2. VENUE IS PROPER, AND JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BY OR AGAINST THE COMMIS-
 SION  SHALL  BE  BROUGHT SOLELY AND EXCLUSIVELY, IN A COURT OF COMPETENT
 JURISDICTION WHERE THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE  COMMISSION  IS  LOCATED.
 THE COMMISSION MAY WAIVE VENUE AND JURISDICTIONAL DEFENSES TO THE EXTENT
 A. 7946                             8

 IT  ADOPTS  OR CONSENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
 PROCEEDINGS.
   3. NOTHING IN THIS COMPACT SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO BE A WAIVER OF SOVER-
 EIGN IMMUNITY.
   B. MEMBERSHIP, VOTING AND MEETINGS.
   1.  EACH  PARTY  STATE SHALL HAVE AND BE LIMITED TO ONE ADMINISTRATOR.
 THE HEAD OF THE STATE LICENSING BOARD OR DESIGNEE SHALL BE THE  ADMINIS-
 TRATOR  OF  THIS  COMPACT FOR EACH PARTY STATE. ANY ADMINISTRATOR MAY BE
 REMOVED OR SUSPENDED FROM OFFICE AS PROVIDED BY THE  LAW  OF  THE  STATE
 FROM  WHICH THE ADMINISTRATOR IS APPOINTED. ANY VACANCY OCCURRING IN THE
 COMMISSION SHALL BE FILLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH  THE  LAWS  OF  THE  PARTY
 STATE IN WHICH THE VACANCY EXISTS.
   2. EACH ADMINISTRATOR SHALL BE ENTITLED TO ONE (1) VOTE WITH REGARD TO
 THE  PROMULGATION  OF  RULES  AND CREATION OF BYLAWS AND SHALL OTHERWISE
 HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BUSINESS AND  AFFAIRS  OF  THE
 COMMISSION. AN ADMINISTRATOR SHALL VOTE IN PERSON OR BY SUCH OTHER MEANS
 AS PROVIDED IN THE BYLAWS. THE BYLAWS MAY PROVIDE FOR AN ADMINISTRATOR'S
 PARTICIPATION IN MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE OR OTHER MEANS OF COMMUNICATION.
   3.  THE COMMISSION SHALL MEET AT LEAST ONCE DURING EACH CALENDAR YEAR.
 ADDITIONAL MEETINGS SHALL BE HELD AS SET FORTH IN THE BYLAWS OR RULES OF
 THE COMMISSION.
   4. ALL MEETINGS SHALL BE OPEN TO THE  PUBLIC,  AND  PUBLIC  NOTICE  OF
 MEETINGS  SHALL  BE GIVEN IN THE SAME MANNER AS REQUIRED UNDER THE RULE-
 MAKING PROVISIONS IN ARTICLE VIII OF THIS COMPACT.
   5. THE COMMISSION MAY CONVENE IN A CLOSED, NONPUBLIC  MEETING  IF  THE
 COMMISSION MUST DISCUSS:
   I.  NONCOMPLIANCE  OF  A  PARTY  STATE WITH ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS
 COMPACT;
   II.  THE  EMPLOYMENT,  COMPENSATION,  DISCIPLINE  OR  OTHER  PERSONNEL
 MATTERS,  PRACTICES OR PROCEDURES RELATED TO SPECIFIC EMPLOYEES OR OTHER
 MATTERS RELATED TO THE COMMISSION'S  INTERNAL  PERSONNEL  PRACTICES  AND
 PROCEDURES;
   III. CURRENT, THREATENED OR REASONABLY ANTICIPATED LITIGATION;
   IV.  NEGOTIATION  OF  CONTRACTS  FOR  THE  PURCHASE  OR SALE OF GOODS,
 SERVICES OR REAL ESTATE;
   V. ACCUSING ANY PERSON OF A CRIME OR FORMALLY CENSURING ANY PERSON;
   VI. DISCLOSURE OF TRADE SECRETS OR COMMERCIAL OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 THAT IS PRIVILEGED OR CONFIDENTIAL;
   VII. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION OF A PERSONAL NATURE  WHERE  DISCLOSURE
 WOULD CONSTITUTE A CLEARLY UNWARRANTED INVASION OF PERSONAL PRIVACY;
   VIII. DISCLOSURE OF INVESTIGATORY RECORDS COMPILED FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT
 PURPOSES;
   IX. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION RELATED TO ANY REPORTS PREPARED BY OR ON
 BEHALF  OF THE COMMISSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION OF COMPLIANCE
 WITH THIS COMPACT; OR
   X. MATTERS SPECIFICALLY EXEMPTED FROM DISCLOSURE BY FEDERAL  OR  STATE
 STATUTE.
   6.  IF  A MEETING, OR PORTION OF A MEETING, IS CLOSED PURSUANT TO THIS
 PROVISION, THE COMMISSION'S LEGAL COUNSEL OR DESIGNEE SHALL CERTIFY THAT
 THE MEETING MAY BE CLOSED AND SHALL REFERENCE  EACH  RELEVANT  EXEMPTING
 PROVISION.  THE  COMMISSION  SHALL  KEEP  MINUTES THAT FULLY AND CLEARLY
 DESCRIBE ALL MATTERS DISCUSSED IN A MEETING AND SHALL PROVIDE A FULL AND
 ACCURATE SUMMARY OF ACTIONS TAKEN, AND THE REASONS THEREFOR, INCLUDING A
 DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  VIEWS  EXPRESSED.  ALL  DOCUMENTS  CONSIDERED   IN
 CONNECTION  WITH  AN  ACTION  SHALL  BE  IDENTIFIED IN SUCH MINUTES. ALL
 MINUTES AND DOCUMENTS OF A  CLOSED  MEETING  SHALL  REMAIN  UNDER  SEAL,
 A. 7946                             9
 
 SUBJECT  TO  RELEASE  BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE COMMISSION OR ORDER OF A
 COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION.
   C.  THE  COMMISSION  SHALL,  BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE ADMINISTRATORS,
 PRESCRIBE BYLAWS OR RULES TO GOVERN ITS CONDUCT AS MAY BE  NECESSARY  OR
 APPROPRIATE  TO  CARRY  OUT THE PURPOSES AND EXERCISE THE POWERS OF THIS
 COMPACT, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
   1. ESTABLISHING THE FISCAL YEAR OF THE COMMISSION;
   2. PROVIDING REASONABLE STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES:
   I. FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MEETINGS OF OTHER COMMITTEES; AND
   II. GOVERNING ANY GENERAL OR SPECIFIC DELEGATION OF ANY  AUTHORITY  OR
 FUNCTION OF THE COMMISSION;
   3. PROVIDING REASONABLE PROCEDURES FOR CALLING AND CONDUCTING MEETINGS
 OF  THE  COMMISSION,  ENSURING REASONABLE ADVANCE NOTICE OF ALL MEETINGS
 AND PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ATTENDANCE OF SUCH MEETINGS  BY  INTER-
 ESTED  PARTIES,  WITH  ENUMERATED  EXCEPTIONS  DESIGNED  TO  PROTECT THE
 PUBLIC'S INTEREST, THE PRIVACY OF INDIVIDUALS, AND PROPRIETARY  INFORMA-
 TION, INCLUDING TRADE SECRETS. THE COMMISSION MAY MEET IN CLOSED SESSION
 ONLY  AFTER  A MAJORITY OF THE ADMINISTRATORS VOTE TO CLOSE A MEETING IN
 WHOLE OR IN PART. AS SOON  AS  PRACTICABLE,  THE  COMMISSION  MUST  MAKE
 PUBLIC  A  COPY  OF  THE VOTE TO CLOSE THE MEETING REVEALING THE VOTE OF
 EACH ADMINISTRATOR, WITH NO PROXY VOTES ALLOWED;
   4. ESTABLISHING THE TITLES, DUTIES AND AUTHORITY AND REASONABLE PROCE-
 DURES FOR THE ELECTION OF THE OFFICERS OF THE COMMISSION;
   5. PROVIDING REASONABLE STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT
 OF THE PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROGRAMS OF THE COMMISSION.  NOTWITHSTAND-
 ING  ANY  CIVIL  SERVICE  OR  OTHER SIMILAR LAWS OF ANY PARTY STATE, THE
 BYLAWS SHALL EXCLUSIVELY GOVERN THE PERSONNEL POLICIES AND  PROGRAMS  OF
 THE COMMISSION; AND
   6.  PROVIDING A MECHANISM FOR WINDING UP THE OPERATIONS OF THE COMMIS-
 SION AND THE EQUITABLE DISPOSITION OF ANY SURPLUS FUNDS THAT  MAY  EXIST
 AFTER  THE TERMINATION OF THIS COMPACT AFTER THE PAYMENT OR RESERVING OF
 ALL OF ITS DEBTS AND OBLIGATIONS.
   D. THE COMMISSION SHALL PUBLISH ITS BYLAWS AND RULES, AND  ANY  AMEND-
 MENTS THERETO, IN A CONVENIENT FORM ON THE WEBSITE OF THE COMMISSION.
   E.  THE  COMMISSION SHALL MAINTAIN ITS FINANCIAL RECORDS IN ACCORDANCE
 WITH THE BYLAWS.
   F. THE COMMISSION SHALL MEET AND TAKE SUCH ACTIONS AS  ARE  CONSISTENT
 WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS COMPACT AND THE BYLAWS.
   G. THE COMMISSION SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING POWERS:
   1.  TO PROMULGATE UNIFORM RULES TO FACILITATE AND COORDINATE IMPLEMEN-
 TATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THIS COMPACT.  THE  RULES  SHALL  HAVE  THE
 FORCE AND EFFECT OF LAW AND SHALL BE BINDING IN ALL PARTY STATES;
   2.  TO BRING AND PROSECUTE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR ACTIONS IN THE NAME OF
 THE COMMISSION, PROVIDED THAT THE STANDING OF ANY LICENSING BOARD TO SUE
 OR BE SUED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW SHALL NOT BE AFFECTED;
   3. TO PURCHASE AND MAINTAIN INSURANCE AND BONDS;
   4. TO BORROW, ACCEPT OR CONTRACT FOR SERVICES OF PERSONNEL, INCLUDING,
 BUT NOT LIMITED TO, EMPLOYEES OF A PARTY STATE  OR  NONPROFIT  ORGANIZA-
 TIONS;
   5.  TO  COOPERATE  WITH  OTHER  ORGANIZATIONS  THAT  ADMINISTER  STATE
 COMPACTS RELATED TO THE REGULATION OF NURSING, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
 TO SHARING ADMINISTRATIVE OR  STAFF  EXPENSES,  OFFICE  SPACE  OR  OTHER
 RESOURCES;
   6.  TO  HIRE  EMPLOYEES,  ELECT OR APPOINT OFFICERS, FIX COMPENSATION,
 DEFINE DUTIES, GRANT SUCH INDIVIDUALS APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY TO CARRY OUT
 THE PURPOSES OF THIS COMPACT, AND TO ESTABLISH THE COMMISSION'S  PERSON-
 A. 7946                            10

 NEL  POLICIES AND PROGRAMS RELATING TO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, QUALIFICA-
 TIONS OF PERSONNEL AND OTHER RELATED PERSONNEL MATTERS;
   7.  TO  ACCEPT  ANY AND ALL APPROPRIATE DONATIONS, GRANTS AND GIFTS OF
 MONEY, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, MATERIALS  AND  SERVICES,  AND  TO  RECEIVE,
 UTILIZE  AND DISPOSE OF THE SAME; PROVIDED THAT AT ALL TIMES THE COMMIS-
 SION SHALL AVOID ANY APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY OR CONFLICT OF INTEREST;
   8. TO LEASE, PURCHASE, ACCEPT APPROPRIATE GIFTS OR  DONATIONS  OF,  OR
 OTHERWISE  TO  OWN,  HOLD,  IMPROVE  OR USE, ANY PROPERTY, WHETHER REAL,
 PERSONAL OR MIXED; PROVIDED THAT AT ALL TIMES THE COMMISSION SHALL AVOID
 ANY APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY;
   9. TO SELL, CONVEY, MORTGAGE,  PLEDGE,  LEASE,  EXCHANGE,  ABANDON  OR
 OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF ANY PROPERTY, WHETHER REAL, PERSONAL OR MIXED;
   10. TO ESTABLISH A BUDGET AND MAKE EXPENDITURES;
   11. TO BORROW MONEY;
   12.  TO APPOINT COMMITTEES, INCLUDING ADVISORY COMMITTEES COMPRISED OF
 ADMINISTRATORS, STATE NURSING REGULATORS,  STATE  LEGISLATORS  OR  THEIR
 REPRESENTATIVES, AND CONSUMER REPRESENTATIVES, AND OTHER SUCH INTERESTED
 PERSONS;
   13.  TO  PROVIDE  AND RECEIVE INFORMATION FROM, AND TO COOPERATE WITH,
 LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES;
   14. TO ADOPT AND USE AN OFFICIAL SEAL; AND
   15. TO PERFORM SUCH OTHER FUNCTIONS AS MAY BE NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE
 TO ACHIEVE THE PURPOSES OF THIS COMPACT CONSISTENT WITH THE STATE  REGU-
 LATION OF NURSE LICENSURE AND PRACTICE.
   H. FINANCING OF THE COMMISSION.
   1.  THE  COMMISSION  SHALL  PAY,  OR  PROVIDE  FOR THE PAYMENT OF, THE
 REASONABLE EXPENSES  OF  ITS  ESTABLISHMENT,  ORGANIZATION  AND  ONGOING
 ACTIVITIES.
   2.  THE  COMMISSION  MAY ALSO LEVY ON AND COLLECT AN ANNUAL ASSESSMENT
 FROM EACH PARTY STATE TO COVER THE COST OF  ITS  OPERATIONS,  ACTIVITIES
 AND  STAFF  IN  ITS  ANNUAL  BUDGET AS APPROVED EACH YEAR. THE AGGREGATE
 ANNUAL ASSESSMENT AMOUNT, IF ANY, SHALL BE ALLOCATED BASED UPON A FORMU-
 LA TO BE DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSION, WHICH  SHALL  PROMULGATE  A  RULE
 THAT IS BINDING UPON ALL PARTY STATES.
   3.  THE  COMMISSION  SHALL  NOT INCUR OBLIGATIONS OF ANY KIND PRIOR TO
 SECURING THE FUNDS ADEQUATE TO MEET THE SAME; NOR SHALL  THE  COMMISSION
 PLEDGE  THE  CREDIT  OF ANY OF THE PARTY STATES, EXCEPT BY, AND WITH THE
 AUTHORITY OF, SUCH PARTY STATE.
   4. THE COMMISSION SHALL KEEP ACCURATE ACCOUNTS  OF  ALL  RECEIPTS  AND
 DISBURSEMENTS.    THE RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS OF THE COMMISSION SHALL
 BE SUBJECT TO THE AUDIT AND ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED UNDER  ITS
 BYLAWS.  HOWEVER, ALL RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS OF FUNDS HANDLED BY THE
 COMMISSION SHALL BE AUDITED YEARLY BY A  CERTIFIED  OR  LICENSED  PUBLIC
 ACCOUNTANT,  AND THE REPORT OF THE AUDIT SHALL BE INCLUDED IN AND BECOME
 PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMISSION.
   I. QUALIFIED IMMUNITY, DEFENSE AND INDEMNIFICATION.
   1. THE ADMINISTRATORS, OFFICERS,  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR,  EMPLOYEES  AND
 REPRESENTATIVES  OF THE COMMISSION SHALL BE IMMUNE FROM SUIT AND LIABIL-
 ITY, EITHER PERSONALLY OR IN THEIR OFFICIAL CAPACITY, FOR ANY CLAIM  FOR
 DAMAGE  TO OR LOSS OF PROPERTY OR PERSONAL INJURY OR OTHER CIVIL LIABIL-
 ITY CAUSED BY OR ARISING OUT OF ANY ACTUAL  OR  ALLEGED  ACT,  ERROR  OR
 OMISSION  THAT  OCCURRED,  OR  THAT THE PERSON AGAINST WHOM THE CLAIM IS
 MADE HAD A REASONABLE BASIS FOR BELIEVING OCCURRED, WITHIN THE SCOPE  OF
 COMMISSION EMPLOYMENT, DUTIES OR RESPONSIBILITIES; PROVIDED THAT NOTHING
 IN  THIS  PARAGRAPH  SHALL  BE CONSTRUED TO PROTECT ANY SUCH PERSON FROM
 A. 7946                            11

 SUIT OR LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE, LOSS, INJURY OR  LIABILITY  CAUSED  BY
 THE INTENTIONAL, WILLFUL OR WANTON MISCONDUCT OF THAT PERSON.
   2.  THE  COMMISSION SHALL DEFEND ANY ADMINISTRATOR, OFFICER, EXECUTIVE
 DIRECTOR, EMPLOYEE OR REPRESENTATIVE OF  THE  COMMISSION  IN  ANY  CIVIL
 ACTION  SEEKING TO IMPOSE LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF ANY ACTUAL OR ALLEGED
 ACT, ERROR OR OMISSION THAT OCCURRED  WITHIN  THE  SCOPE  OF  COMMISSION
 EMPLOYMENT,  DUTIES OR RESPONSIBILITIES, OR THAT THE PERSON AGAINST WHOM
 THE CLAIM IS MADE HAD A REASONABLE BASIS FOR BELIEVING  OCCURRED  WITHIN
 THE SCOPE OF COMMISSION EMPLOYMENT, DUTIES OR RESPONSIBILITIES; PROVIDED
 THAT  NOTHING  HEREIN  SHALL  BE  CONSTRUED TO PROHIBIT THAT PERSON FROM
 RETAINING HIS OR HER OWN COUNSEL; AND PROVIDED FURTHER THAT  THE  ACTUAL
 OR  ALLEGED  ACT,  ERROR  OR  OMISSION DID NOT RESULT FROM THAT PERSON'S
 INTENTIONAL, WILLFUL OR WANTON MISCONDUCT.
   3. THE COMMISSION SHALL INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS ANY ADMINISTRATOR,
 OFFICER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EMPLOYEE OR REPRESENTATIVE OF  THE  COMMIS-
 SION  FOR THE AMOUNT OF ANY SETTLEMENT OR JUDGMENT OBTAINED AGAINST THAT
 PERSON ARISING OUT OF ANY ACTUAL OR ALLEGED ACT, ERROR OR OMISSION  THAT
 OCCURRED  WITHIN THE SCOPE OF COMMISSION EMPLOYMENT, DUTIES OR RESPONSI-
 BILITIES, OR THAT SUCH PERSON  HAD  A  REASONABLE  BASIS  FOR  BELIEVING
 OCCURRED  WITHIN THE SCOPE OF COMMISSION EMPLOYMENT, DUTIES OR RESPONSI-
 BILITIES, PROVIDED THAT THE ACTUAL OR ALLEGED ACT, ERROR OR OMISSION DID
 NOT RESULT FROM THE INTENTIONAL, WILLFUL OR WANTON  MISCONDUCT  OF  THAT
 PERSON.
 
                               ARTICLE VIII.
                                RULEMAKING
 
   A. THE COMMISSION SHALL EXERCISE ITS RULEMAKING POWERS PURSUANT TO THE
 CRITERIA  SET  FORTH  IN  THIS ARTICLE AND THE RULES ADOPTED THEREUNDER.
 RULES AND AMENDMENTS SHALL BECOME BINDING AS OF THE  DATE  SPECIFIED  IN
 EACH  RULE  OR  AMENDMENT  AND  SHALL  HAVE THE SAME FORCE AND EFFECT AS
 PROVISIONS OF THIS COMPACT.
   B. RULES OR AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES SHALL BE ADOPTED AT A  REGULAR  OR
 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMISSION.
   C.  PRIOR TO PROMULGATION AND ADOPTION OF A FINAL RULE OR RULES BY THE
 COMMISSION, AND AT LEAST SIXTY (60) DAYS IN ADVANCE OF  THE  MEETING  AT
 WHICH  THE  RULE WILL BE CONSIDERED AND VOTED UPON, THE COMMISSION SHALL
 FILE A NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING:
   1. ON THE WEBSITE OF THE COMMISSION; AND
   2. ON THE WEBSITE OF EACH LICENSING BOARD OR THE PUBLICATION IN  WHICH
 EACH STATE WOULD OTHERWISE PUBLISH PROPOSED RULES.
   D. THE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING SHALL INCLUDE:
   1.  THE  PROPOSED  TIME, DATE AND LOCATION OF THE MEETING IN WHICH THE
 RULE WILL BE CONSIDERED AND VOTED UPON;
   2. THE TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE OR AMENDMENT, AND THE REASON FOR  THE
 PROPOSED RULE;
   3.  A  REQUEST  FOR  COMMENTS ON THE PROPOSED RULE FROM ANY INTERESTED
 PERSON; AND
   4. THE MANNER IN WHICH INTERESTED PERSONS MAY  SUBMIT  NOTICE  TO  THE
 COMMISSION OF THEIR INTENTION TO ATTEND THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ANY WRIT-
 TEN COMMENTS.
   E.  PRIOR  TO  ADOPTION OF A PROPOSED RULE, THE COMMISSION SHALL ALLOW
 PERSONS TO SUBMIT WRITTEN DATA, FACTS,  OPINIONS  AND  ARGUMENTS,  WHICH
 SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
   F.  THE  COMMISSION  SHALL  GRANT  AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A PUBLIC HEARING
 BEFORE IT ADOPTS A RULE OR AMENDMENT.
 A. 7946                            12
 
   G. THE COMMISSION SHALL PUBLISH THE PLACE, TIME AND DATE OF THE SCHED-
 ULED PUBLIC HEARING.
   1.  HEARINGS  SHALL BE CONDUCTED IN A MANNER PROVIDING EACH PERSON WHO
 WISHES TO COMMENT A FAIR AND REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ORALLY OR
 IN WRITING. ALL HEARINGS WILL BE RECORDED,  AND  A  COPY  WILL  BE  MADE
 AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
   2.  NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS REQUIRING A SEPARATE
 HEARING ON EACH RULE. RULES MAY BE GROUPED FOR THE  CONVENIENCE  OF  THE
 COMMISSION AT HEARINGS REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION.
   H. IF NO ONE APPEARS AT THE PUBLIC HEARING, THE COMMISSION MAY PROCEED
 WITH PROMULGATION OF THE PROPOSED RULE.
   I.  FOLLOWING  THE SCHEDULED HEARING DATE, OR BY THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS
 ON THE SCHEDULED HEARING DATE IF THE HEARING WAS NOT HELD,  THE  COMMIS-
 SION SHALL CONSIDER ALL WRITTEN AND ORAL COMMENTS RECEIVED.
   J.  THE COMMISSION SHALL, BY MAJORITY VOTE OF ALL ADMINISTRATORS, TAKE
 FINAL ACTION ON THE PROPOSED RULE AND SHALL DETERMINE THE EFFECTIVE DATE
 OF THE RULE, IF ANY, BASED ON THE RULEMAKING RECORD AND THE FULL TEXT OF
 THE RULE.
   K. UPON DETERMINATION THAT AN EMERGENCY  EXISTS,  THE  COMMISSION  MAY
 CONSIDER  AND  ADOPT AN EMERGENCY RULE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE, OPPORTUNITY
 FOR COMMENT OR HEARING, PROVIDED THAT THE  USUAL  RULEMAKING  PROCEDURES
 PROVIDED  IN  THIS  COMPACT  AND  IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE RETROACTIVELY
 APPLIED TO THE RULE AS SOON AS REASONABLY POSSIBLE, IN  NO  EVENT  LATER
 THAN  NINETY  (90)  DAYS  AFTER  THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE RULE. FOR THE
 PURPOSES OF THIS PROVISION, AN  EMERGENCY  RULE  IS  ONE  THAT  MUST  BE
 ADOPTED IMMEDIATELY IN ORDER TO:
   1. MEET AN IMMINENT THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY OR WELFARE;
   2. PREVENT A LOSS OF COMMISSION OR PARTY STATE FUNDS; OR
   3. MEET A DEADLINE FOR THE PROMULGATION OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE RULE THAT
 IS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW OR RULE.
   L. THE COMMISSION MAY DIRECT REVISIONS TO A PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED RULE OR
 AMENDMENT  FOR  PURPOSES  OF  CORRECTING TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS, ERRORS IN
 FORMAT, ERRORS IN CONSISTENCY OR GRAMMATICAL ERRORS.  PUBLIC  NOTICE  OF
 ANY  REVISIONS  SHALL  BE  POSTED  ON THE WEBSITE OF THE COMMISSION. THE
 REVISION SHALL BE SUBJECT TO CHALLENGE BY ANY PERSON  FOR  A  PERIOD  OF
 THIRTY  (30)  DAYS AFTER POSTING. THE REVISION MAY BE CHALLENGED ONLY ON
 GROUNDS THAT THE REVISION RESULTS IN A MATERIAL  CHANGE  TO  A  RULE.  A
 CHALLENGE  SHALL  BE  MADE  IN WRITING, AND DELIVERED TO THE COMMISSION,
 PRIOR TO THE END OF THE NOTICE PERIOD. IF  NO  CHALLENGE  IS  MADE,  THE
 REVISION  WILL  TAKE  EFFECT  WITHOUT FURTHER ACTION. IF THE REVISION IS
 CHALLENGED, THE REVISION MAY NOT TAKE EFFECT WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE
 COMMISSION.
 
                                ARTICLE IX.
               OVERSIGHT, DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND ENFORCEMENT
 
   A. OVERSIGHT.
   1. EACH PARTY STATE SHALL ENFORCE THIS COMPACT AND  TAKE  ALL  ACTIONS
 NECESSARY  AND  APPROPRIATE  TO  EFFECTUATE  THIS COMPACT'S PURPOSES AND
 INTENT.
   2. THE COMMISSION SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE SERVICE OF  PROCESS  IN
 ANY  PROCEEDING  THAT MAY AFFECT THE POWERS, RESPONSIBILITIES OR ACTIONS
 OF THE COMMISSION, AND SHALL  HAVE  STANDING  TO  INTERVENE  IN  SUCH  A
 PROCEEDING  FOR  ALL  PURPOSES. FAILURE TO PROVIDE SERVICE OF PROCESS IN
 SUCH PROCEEDING TO THE COMMISSION SHALL RENDER A JUDGMENT OR ORDER  VOID
 AS TO THE COMMISSION, THIS COMPACT OR PROMULGATED RULES.
 A. 7946                            13
 
   B. DEFAULT, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TERMINATION.
   1.  IF  THE  COMMISSION DETERMINES THAT A PARTY STATE HAS DEFAULTED IN
 THE PERFORMANCE  OF  ITS  OBLIGATIONS  OR  RESPONSIBILITIES  UNDER  THIS
 COMPACT OR THE PROMULGATED RULES, THE COMMISSION SHALL:
   I.  PROVIDE  WRITTEN  NOTICE  TO  THE DEFAULTING STATE AND OTHER PARTY
 STATES OF THE NATURE OF THE DEFAULT, THE PROPOSED MEANS  OF  CURING  THE
 DEFAULT OR ANY OTHER ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE COMMISSION; AND
   II.  PROVIDE  REMEDIAL  TRAINING  AND  SPECIFIC  TECHNICAL  ASSISTANCE
 REGARDING THE DEFAULT.
   2. IF A STATE IN DEFAULT FAILS TO CURE  THE  DEFAULT,  THE  DEFAULTING
 STATE'S MEMBERSHIP IN THIS COMPACT MAY BE TERMINATED UPON AN AFFIRMATIVE
 VOTE OF A MAJORITY OF THE ADMINISTRATORS, AND ALL RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES AND
 BENEFITS  CONFERRED  BY  THIS COMPACT MAY BE TERMINATED ON THE EFFECTIVE
 DATE OF TERMINATION. A CURE OF THE DEFAULT DOES NOT RELIEVE THE  OFFEND-
 ING  STATE  OF  OBLIGATIONS OR LIABILITIES INCURRED DURING THE PERIOD OF
 DEFAULT.
   3. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP IN THIS COMPACT  SHALL  BE  IMPOSED  ONLY
 AFTER ALL OTHER MEANS OF SECURING COMPLIANCE HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED. NOTICE
 OF  INTENT  TO  SUSPEND OR TERMINATE SHALL BE GIVEN BY THE COMMISSION TO
 THE GOVERNOR OF THE DEFAULTING STATE AND TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE
 DEFAULTING STATE'S LICENSING BOARD AND EACH OF THE PARTY STATES.
   4. A STATE WHOSE MEMBERSHIP IN THIS COMPACT  HAS  BEEN  TERMINATED  IS
 RESPONSIBLE  FOR  ALL  ASSESSMENTS, OBLIGATIONS AND LIABILITIES INCURRED
 THROUGH THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF TERMINATION,  INCLUDING  OBLIGATIONS  THAT
 EXTEND BEYOND THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF TERMINATION.
   5.  THE COMMISSION SHALL NOT BEAR ANY COSTS RELATED TO A STATE THAT IS
 FOUND TO BE IN DEFAULT OR WHOSE MEMBERSHIP  IN  THIS  COMPACT  HAS  BEEN
 TERMINATED  UNLESS AGREED UPON IN WRITING BETWEEN THE COMMISSION AND THE
 DEFAULTING STATE.
   6. THE DEFAULTING STATE MAY APPEAL THE ACTION  OF  THE  COMMISSION  BY
 PETITIONING  THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OR THE
 FEDERAL DISTRICT IN WHICH THE COMMISSION HAS ITS PRINCIPAL OFFICES.  THE
 PREVAILING  PARTY SHALL BE AWARDED ALL COSTS OF SUCH LITIGATION, INCLUD-
 ING REASONABLE ATTORNEYS' FEES.
   C. DISPUTE RESOLUTION.
   1. UPON REQUEST BY A PARTY STATE,  THE  COMMISSION  SHALL  ATTEMPT  TO
 RESOLVE  DISPUTES  RELATED  TO THE COMPACT THAT ARISE AMONG PARTY STATES
 AND BETWEEN PARTY AND NON-PARTY STATES.
   2. THE COMMISSION SHALL PROMULGATE A RULE PROVIDING FOR BOTH MEDIATION
 AND BINDING DISPUTE RESOLUTION FOR DISPUTES, AS APPROPRIATE.
   3. IN THE EVENT THE COMMISSION CANNOT  RESOLVE  DISPUTES  AMONG  PARTY
 STATES ARISING UNDER THIS COMPACT:
   I. THE PARTY STATES MAY SUBMIT THE ISSUES IN DISPUTE TO AN ARBITRATION
 PANEL,  WHICH  WILL BE COMPRISED OF INDIVIDUALS APPOINTED BY THE COMPACT
 ADMINISTRATOR IN EACH OF THE AFFECTED PARTY  STATES  AND  AN  INDIVIDUAL
 MUTUALLY  AGREED  UPON  BY  THE  COMPACT ADMINISTRATORS OF ALL THE PARTY
 STATES INVOLVED IN THE DISPUTE.
   II. THE DECISION OF A MAJORITY OF THE ARBITRATORS SHALL BE  FINAL  AND
 BINDING.
   D. ENFORCEMENT.
   1. THE COMMISSION, IN THE REASONABLE EXERCISE OF ITS DISCRETION, SHALL
 ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS AND RULES OF THIS COMPACT.
   2.  BY  MAJORITY VOTE, THE COMMISSION MAY INITIATE LEGAL ACTION IN THE
 U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OR THE FEDERAL DISTRICT
 IN WHICH THE COMMISSION HAS ITS PRINCIPAL OFFICES AGAINST A PARTY  STATE
 THAT  IS  IN  DEFAULT  TO ENFORCE COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS
 A. 7946                            14
 
 COMPACT AND ITS PROMULGATED RULES AND  BYLAWS.  THE  RELIEF  SOUGHT  MAY
 INCLUDE  BOTH  INJUNCTIVE  RELIEF  AND  DAMAGES.  IN  THE EVENT JUDICIAL
 ENFORCEMENT IS NECESSARY, THE PREVAILING  PARTY  SHALL  BE  AWARDED  ALL
 COSTS OF SUCH LITIGATION, INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEYS' FEES.
   3.  THE  REMEDIES  HEREIN  SHALL  NOT BE THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES OF THE
 COMMISSION. THE COMMISSION MAY PURSUE ANY OTHER REMEDIES AVAILABLE UNDER
 FEDERAL OR STATE LAW.
 
                                ARTICLE X.
                 EFFECTIVE DATE, WITHDRAWAL AND AMENDMENT
 
   A. THIS COMPACT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE AND BINDING ON THE  EARLIER  OF
 THE  DATE  OF  LEGISLATIVE ENACTMENT OF THIS COMPACT INTO LAW BY NO LESS
 THAN TWENTY-SIX (26) STATES OR DECEMBER 31, 2018. ALL  PARTY  STATES  TO
 THIS  COMPACT,  THAT  ALSO  WERE  PARTIES  TO  THE PRIOR NURSE LICENSURE
 COMPACT, SUPERSEDED BY THIS COMPACT, ("PRIOR COMPACT"), SHALL BE  DEEMED
 TO  HAVE  WITHDRAWN  FROM SAID PRIOR COMPACT WITHIN SIX (6) MONTHS AFTER
 THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS COMPACT.
   B. EACH PARTY STATE TO THIS COMPACT  SHALL  CONTINUE  TO  RECOGNIZE  A
 NURSE'S  MULTISTATE  LICENSURE PRIVILEGE TO PRACTICE IN THAT PARTY STATE
 ISSUED UNDER THE PRIOR COMPACT UNTIL SUCH PARTY STATE HAS WITHDRAWN FROM
 THE PRIOR COMPACT.
   C. ANY PARTY STATE MAY WITHDRAW FROM THIS COMPACT BY ENACTING A  STAT-
 UTE REPEALING THE SAME. A PARTY STATE'S WITHDRAWAL SHALL NOT TAKE EFFECT
 UNTIL SIX (6) MONTHS AFTER ENACTMENT OF THE REPEALING STATUTE.
   D.  A  PARTY  STATE'S  WITHDRAWAL  OR TERMINATION SHALL NOT AFFECT THE
 CONTINUING REQUIREMENT OF THE WITHDRAWING OR TERMINATED STATE'S  LICENS-
 ING  BOARD  TO  REPORT  ADVERSE  ACTIONS  AND SIGNIFICANT INVESTIGATIONS
 OCCURRING PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF SUCH WITHDRAWAL OR TERMINATION.
   E. NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS COMPACT SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO  INVALIDATE
 OR  PREVENT  ANY NURSE LICENSURE AGREEMENT OR OTHER COOPERATIVE ARRANGE-
 MENT BETWEEN A PARTY STATE AND A NON-PARTY STATE THAT IS MADE IN ACCORD-
 ANCE WITH THE OTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS COMPACT.
   F. THIS COMPACT MAY BE AMENDED BY THE PARTY STATES.  NO  AMENDMENT  TO
 THIS  COMPACT  SHALL  BECOME EFFECTIVE AND BINDING UPON THE PARTY STATES
 UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS ENACTED INTO THE LAWS OF ALL PARTY STATES.
   G. REPRESENTATIVES OF  NON-PARTY  STATES  TO  THIS  COMPACT  SHALL  BE
 INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMISSION, ON A NONVOT-
 ING BASIS, PRIOR TO THE ADOPTION OF THIS COMPACT BY ALL STATES.
 
                                ARTICLE XI.
                       CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY
 
   THIS  COMPACT  SHALL  BE  LIBERALLY  CONSTRUED SO AS TO EFFECTUATE THE
 PURPOSES THEREOF. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS COMPACT SHALL BE SEVERABLE, AND
 IF ANY PHRASE, CLAUSE, SENTENCE OR PROVISION OF THIS COMPACT IS DECLARED
 TO BE CONTRARY TO THE CONSTITUTION OF ANY PARTY STATE OR OF  THE  UNITED
 STATES,  OR  IF  THE  APPLICABILITY  THEREOF  TO ANY GOVERNMENT, AGENCY,
 PERSON OR CIRCUMSTANCE IS HELD INVALID, THE VALIDITY OF THE REMAINDER OF
 THIS COMPACT AND THE APPLICABILITY THEREOF TO  ANY  GOVERNMENT,  AGENCY,
 PERSON  OR  CIRCUMSTANCE  SHALL NOT BE AFFECTED THEREBY. IF THIS COMPACT
 SHALL BE HELD TO BE CONTRARY TO THE CONSTITUTION  OF  ANY  PARTY  STATE,
 THIS  COMPACT  SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AS TO THE REMAINING
 PARTY STATES AND IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AS TO THE PARTY STATE AFFECTED
 AS TO ALL SEVERABLE MATTERS.
 A. 7946                            15
 
   § 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day  after  it  shall
 have  become  a  law.    Effective  immediately, the addition, amendment
 and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
 of this act on  its  effective  date  are  authorized  to  be  made  and
 completed on or before such effective date.
 
                                  PART B

   Section  1.  The education law is amended by adding a new section 6913
 to read as follows:
   § 6913. ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE COMPACT. THE ADVANCED PRAC-
 TICE REGISTERED NURSE COMPACT IS HEREBY ENACTED  INTO  LAW  AND  ENTERED
 INTO WITH ALL JURISDICTIONS LEGALLY JOINING THEREIN IN THE FORM SUBSTAN-
 TIALLY AS FOLLOWS:
 
                                ARTICLE I.
                    FINDINGS AND DECLARATION OF PURPOSE
 
   A. THE PARTY STATES FIND THAT:
   1.  THE  HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC ARE AFFECTED BY THE DEGREE OF
 COMPLIANCE WITH APRN LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS  AND  THE  EFFECTIVENESS  OF
 ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES RELATED TO STATE APRN LICENSURE LAWS;
   2. VIOLATIONS OF APRN LICENSURE AND OTHER LAWS REGULATING THE PRACTICE
 OF NURSING MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR HARM TO THE PUBLIC;
   3.  THE  EXPANDED  MOBILITY  OF APRNS AND THE USE OF ADVANCED COMMUNI-
 CATION AND INTERVENTION TECHNOLOGIES AS PART OF OUR NATION'S HEALTH CARE
 DELIVERY SYSTEM  REQUIRE  GREATER  COORDINATION  AND  COOPERATION  AMONG
 STATES IN THE AREAS OF APRN LICENSURE AND REGULATION;
   4.  NEW  PRACTICE MODALITIES AND TECHNOLOGY MAKE COMPLIANCE WITH INDI-
 VIDUAL STATE APRN LICENSURE LAWS DIFFICULT AND COMPLEX;
   5. THE CURRENT SYSTEM OF DUPLICATIVE APRN LICENSURE FOR APRNS PRACTIC-
 ING IN MULTIPLE STATES IS CUMBERSOME AND REDUNDANT FOR HEALTHCARE DELIV-
 ERY SYSTEMS, PAYORS, STATE LICENSING BOARDS, REGULATORS AND APRNS;
   6. UNIFORMITY OF APRN LICENSURE  REQUIREMENTS  THROUGHOUT  THE  STATES
 PROMOTES PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC HEALTH BENEFITS AS WELL AS PROVIDING A
 MECHANISM TO INCREASE ACCESS TO CARE.
   B. THE GENERAL PURPOSES OF THIS COMPACT ARE TO:
   1.  FACILITATE  THE  STATES'  RESPONSIBILITY  TO  PROTECT THE PUBLIC'S
 HEALTH AND SAFETY;
   2. ENSURE AND ENCOURAGE THE COOPERATION OF PARTY STATES IN  THE  AREAS
 OF  APRN LICENSURE AND REGULATION, INCLUDING PROMOTION OF UNIFORM LICEN-
 SURE REQUIREMENTS;
   3. FACILITATE THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION BETWEEN PARTY STATES IN  THE
 AREAS OF APRN REGULATION, INVESTIGATION AND ADVERSE ACTIONS;
   4.  PROMOTE  COMPLIANCE  WITH THE LAWS GOVERNING APRN PRACTICE IN EACH
 JURISDICTION;
   5. INVEST ALL PARTY STATES WITH THE AUTHORITY TO HOLD AN APRN ACCOUNT-
 ABLE FOR MEETING ALL STATE PRACTICE LAWS  IN  THE  STATE  IN  WHICH  THE
 PATIENT  IS  LOCATED  AT  THE  TIME  CARE IS RENDERED THROUGH THE MUTUAL
 RECOGNITION OF PARTY STATE PRIVILEGES TO PRACTICE;
   6. DECREASE REDUNDANCIES IN THE CONSIDERATION  AND  ISSUANCE  OF  APRN
 LICENSES; AND
   7.  PROVIDE  OPPORTUNITIES  FOR  INTERSTATE PRACTICE BY APRNS WHO MEET
 UNIFORM LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS.
 A. 7946                            16
 
                                ARTICLE II.
                                DEFINITIONS
 
   AS USED IN THIS COMPACT:
   A.  "ADVANCED  PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE" OR "APRN" MEANS A REGISTERED
 NURSE WHO HAS GAINED ADDITIONAL SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND  EXPE-
 RIENCE  THROUGH  A  PROGRAM OF STUDY RECOGNIZED OR DEFINED BY THE INTER-
 STATE COMMISSION OF APRN COMPACT ADMINISTRATORS ("COMMISSION"), AND  WHO
 IS  LICENSED  TO PERFORM ADVANCED NURSING PRACTICE. AN ADVANCED PRACTICE
 REGISTERED NURSE IS LICENSED IN AN APRN ROLE THAT IS CONGRUENT  WITH  AN
 APRN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM, CERTIFICATION, AND COMMISSION RULES.
   B.  "ADVERSE  ACTION"  MEANS  ANY  ADMINISTRATIVE, CIVIL, EQUITABLE OR
 CRIMINAL ACTION PERMITTED BY A  STATE'S  LAWS  WHICH  IS  IMPOSED  BY  A
 LICENSING  BOARD  OR  OTHER AUTHORITY AGAINST AN APRN, INCLUDING ACTIONS
 AGAINST AN INDIVIDUAL'S LICENSE OR MULTISTATE LICENSURE  PRIVILEGE  SUCH
 AS  REVOCATION, SUSPENSION, PROBATION, MONITORING OF THE LICENSEE, LIMI-
 TATION ON THE LICENSEE'S PRACTICE, OR ANY OTHER ENCUMBRANCE ON LICENSURE
 AFFECTING AN APRN'S AUTHORIZATION TO PRACTICE, INCLUDING THE ISSUANCE OF
 A CEASE AND DESIST ACTION.
   C. "ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM" MEANS A NON-DISCIPLINARY  MONITORING  PROGRAM
 APPROVED BY A LICENSING BOARD.
   D.  "APRN  LICENSURE"  MEANS  THE REGULATORY MECHANISM USED BY A PARTY
 STATE TO GRANT LEGAL AUTHORITY TO PRACTICE AS AN APRN.
   E. "APRN UNIFORM LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS"  MEANS  THE  MINIMUM  UNIFORM
 LICENSURE,  EDUCATION AND EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN SUBDIVI-
 SION B OF ARTICLE III OF THIS COMPACT.
   F. "COORDINATED LICENSURE  INFORMATION  SYSTEM"  MEANS  AN  INTEGRATED
 PROCESS  FOR  COLLECTING, STORING AND SHARING INFORMATION ON APRN LICEN-
 SURE AND ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES RELATED TO APRN LICENSURE LAWS  THAT  IS
 ADMINISTERED  BY  A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION COMPOSED OF AND CONTROLLED BY
 LICENSING BOARDS.
   G. "CURRENT SIGNIFICANT INVESTIGATORY INFORMATION" MEANS:
   1. INVESTIGATIVE INFORMATION THAT A LICENSING BOARD, AFTER A  PRELIMI-
 NARY  INQUIRY THAT INCLUDES NOTIFICATION AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE APRN
 TO RESPOND, IF REQUIRED BY STATE LAW,  HAS  REASON  TO  BELIEVE  IS  NOT
 GROUNDLESS AND, IF PROVED TRUE, WOULD INDICATE MORE THAN A MINOR INFRAC-
 TION; OR
   2.  INVESTIGATIVE  INFORMATION THAT INDICATES THAT THE APRN REPRESENTS
 AN IMMEDIATE THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY  REGARDLESS  OF  WHETHER
 THE APRN HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND.
   H.  "ENCUMBRANCE"  MEANS A REVOCATION OR SUSPENSION OF, OR ANY LIMITA-
 TION ON, THE FULL AND UNRESTRICTED PRACTICE  OF  NURSING  IMPOSED  BY  A
 LICENSING BOARD IN CONNECTION WITH A DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDING.
   I. "HOME STATE" MEANS THE PARTY STATE THAT IS THE APRN'S PRIMARY STATE
 OF RESIDENCE.
   J. "LICENSING BOARD" MEANS A PARTY STATE'S REGULATORY BODY RESPONSIBLE
 FOR REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSING.
   K.  "MULTISTATE  LICENSE" MEANS AN APRN LICENSE TO PRACTICE AS AN APRN
 ISSUED BY A HOME STATE LICENSING BOARD THAT AUTHORIZES THE APRN TO PRAC-
 TICE AS AN APRN IN ALL PARTY STATES UNDER A MULTISTATE LICENSURE  PRIVI-
 LEGE,  IN  THE SAME ROLE AND POPULATION FOCUS AS THE APRN IS LICENSED IN
 THE HOME STATE.
   L. "MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVILEGE" MEANS A LEGAL AUTHORIZATION  ASSO-
 CIATED  WITH AN APRN MULTISTATE LICENSE THAT PERMITS AN APRN TO PRACTICE
 AS AN APRN IN A REMOTE STATE, IN THE SAME ROLE AND POPULATION  FOCUS  AS
 THE APRN IS LICENSED IN THE HOME STATE.
 A. 7946                            17
 
   M.  "NON-CONTROLLED  PRESCRIPTION DRUG" MEANS A DEVICE OR DRUG THAT IS
 NOT A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE AND IS PROHIBITED UNDER STATE OR FEDERAL  LAW
 FROM  BEING DISPENSED WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION. THE TERM INCLUDES A DEVICE
 OR DRUG THAT BEARS OR IS REQUIRED TO BEAR THE LEGEND  "CAUTION:  FEDERAL
 LAW PROHIBITS DISPENSING WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION" OR "PRESCRIPTION ONLY" OR
 OTHER LEGEND THAT COMPLIES WITH FEDERAL LAW.
   N. "PARTY STATE" MEANS ANY STATE THAT HAS ADOPTED THIS COMPACT.
   O.  "POPULATION  FOCUS"  MEANS  ONE  OF  THE  SIX  POPULATION  FOCI OF
 FAMILY/INDIVIDUAL ACROSS THE  LIFESPAN,  ADULT-GERONTOLOGY,  PEDIATRICS,
 NEONATAL, WOMEN'S HEALTH/GENDER-RELATED AND PSYCH/MENTAL HEALTH.
   P.  "PRESCRIPTIVE  AUTHORITY"  MEANS  THE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO PRESCRIBE
 MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES AS DEFINED BY PARTY STATE LAWS.
   Q. "REMOTE STATE" MEANS A PARTY STATE THAT IS NOT THE HOME STATE.
   R. "ROLE" MEANS ONE OF THE FOUR RECOGNIZED ROLES OF  CERTIFIED  REGIS-
 TERED  NURSE  ANESTHETISTS (CRNA), CERTIFIED NURSE-MIDWIVES (CNM), CLIN-
 ICAL NURSE SPECIALISTS (CNS) AND CERTIFIED NURSE PRACTITIONERS (CNP).
   S. "SINGLE-STATE LICENSE" MEANS AN APRN  LICENSE  ISSUED  BY  A  PARTY
 STATE  THAT  AUTHORIZES  PRACTICE ONLY WITHIN THE ISSUING STATE AND DOES
 NOT INCLUDE A MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVILEGE TO PRACTICE  IN  ANY  OTHER
 PARTY STATE.
   T. "STATE" MEANS A STATE, TERRITORY OR POSSESSION OF THE UNITED STATES
 AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
   U.  "STATE PRACTICE LAWS" MEANS A PARTY STATE'S LAWS, RULES, AND REGU-
 LATIONS THAT GOVERN APRN PRACTICE, DEFINE THE SCOPE OF ADVANCED  NURSING
 PRACTICE  AND  CREATE  THE  METHODS  AND GROUNDS FOR IMPOSING DISCIPLINE
 EXCEPT THAT PRESCRIPTIVE AUTHORITY SHALL BE TREATED IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH
 SUBDIVISIONS  F  AND  G  OF ARTICLE III OF THIS COMPACT. "STATE PRACTICE
 LAWS" DOES NOT INCLUDE:
   1. A PARTY STATE'S LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS REQUIRING  SUPERVISION
 OR COLLABORATION WITH A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL, EXCEPT FOR LAWS, RULES,
 AND REGULATIONS REGARDING PRESCRIBING CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES; AND
   2.  THE  REQUIREMENTS  NECESSARY TO OBTAIN AND RETAIN AN APRN LICENSE,
 EXCEPT FOR QUALIFICATIONS OR REQUIREMENTS OF THE HOME STATE.
 
                               ARTICLE III.
                    GENERAL PROVISIONS AND JURISDICTION
 
   A. A STATE MUST IMPLEMENT  PROCEDURES  FOR  CONSIDERING  THE  CRIMINAL
 HISTORY  RECORDS OF APPLICANTS FOR INITIAL APRN LICENSURE OR APRN LICEN-
 SURE BY ENDORSEMENT. SUCH PROCEDURES SHALL  INCLUDE  THE  SUBMISSION  OF
 FINGERPRINTS OR OTHER BIOMETRIC-BASED INFORMATION BY APRN APPLICANTS FOR
 THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING AN APPLICANT'S CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD INFORMA-
 TION FROM THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION AND THE AGENCY RESPONSIBLE
 FOR RETAINING THAT STATE'S CRIMINAL RECORDS.
   B.  EACH PARTY STATE SHALL REQUIRE AN APPLICANT TO SATISFY THE FOLLOW-
 ING APRN UNIFORM LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN OR RETAIN A MULTISTATE
 LICENSE IN THE HOME STATE:
   1. MEETS THE HOME STATE'S QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSURE OR  RENEWAL  OF
 LICENSURE, AS WELL AS, ALL OTHER APPLICABLE STATE LAWS;
   2.  I.  HAS  COMPLETED  AN ACCREDITED GRADUATE-LEVEL EDUCATION PROGRAM
 THAT PREPARES THE APPLICANT FOR ONE OF THE  FOUR  RECOGNIZED  ROLES  AND
 POPULATION FOCI; OR
   II. HAS COMPLETED A FOREIGN APRN EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR ONE OF THE FOUR
 RECOGNIZED  ROLES  AND POPULATION FOCI THAT (A) HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE
 AUTHORIZED ACCREDITING BODY IN THE APPLICABLE COUNTRY AND (B)  HAS  BEEN
 A. 7946                            18
 
 VERIFIED BY AN INDEPENDENT CREDENTIALS REVIEW AGENCY TO BE COMPARABLE TO
 A LICENSING BOARD-APPROVED APRN EDUCATION PROGRAM;
   3.  HAS,  IF A GRADUATE OF A FOREIGN APRN EDUCATION PROGRAM NOT TAUGHT
 IN ENGLISH OR IF  ENGLISH  IS  NOT  THE  INDIVIDUAL'S  NATIVE  LANGUAGE,
 SUCCESSFULLY PASSED AN ENGLISH PROFICIENCY EXAMINATION THAT INCLUDES THE
 COMPONENTS OF READING, SPEAKING, WRITING AND LISTENING;
   4.  HAS  SUCCESSFULLY PASSED A NATIONAL CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION THAT
 MEASURES APRN, ROLE AND POPULATION-FOCUSED  COMPETENCIES  AND  MAINTAINS
 CONTINUED  COMPETENCE  AS  EVIDENCED  BY RECERTIFICATION IN THE ROLE AND
 POPULATION FOCUS THROUGH THE NATIONAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM;
   5. HOLDS AN ACTIVE, UNENCUMBERED LICENSE AS A REGISTERED NURSE AND  AN
 ACTIVE, UNENCUMBERED AUTHORIZATION TO PRACTICE AS AN APRN;
   6. HAS SUCCESSFULLY PASSED AN NCLEX-RN EXAMINATION OR RECOGNIZED PRED-
 ECESSOR, AS APPLICABLE;
   7.  HAS  PRACTICED  FOR  AT LEAST 2,080 HOURS AS AN APRN IN A ROLE AND
 POPULATION FOCUS CONGRUENT WITH THE APPLICANT'S EDUCATION AND  TRAINING.
 FOR  PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, PRACTICE SHALL NOT INCLUDE HOURS OBTAINED
 AS PART OF ENROLLMENT IN AN APRN EDUCATION PROGRAM;
   8. HAS SUBMITTED, IN CONNECTION WITH AN APPLICATION FOR INITIAL LICEN-
 SURE OR LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT, FINGERPRINTS OR OTHER  BIOMETRIC  DATA
 FOR  THE  PURPOSE  OF OBTAINING CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD INFORMATION FROM
 THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF  INVESTIGATION  AND  THE  AGENCY  RESPONSIBLE  FOR
 RETAINING  THAT  STATE  OR,  IF  APPLICABLE,  FOREIGN COUNTRY'S CRIMINAL
 RECORDS;
   9. HAS NOT BEEN CONVICTED OR FOUND GUILTY,  OR  HAS  ENTERED  INTO  AN
 AGREED  DISPOSITION, OF A FELONY OFFENSE UNDER APPLICABLE STATE, FEDERAL
 OR FOREIGN CRIMINAL LAW;
   10. HAS NOT BEEN CONVICTED OR FOUND GUILTY, OR  HAS  ENTERED  INTO  AN
 AGREED  DISPOSITION, OF A MISDEMEANOR OFFENSE RELATED TO THE PRACTICE OF
 NURSING AS DETERMINED BY FACTORS SET  FORTH  IN  RULES  ADOPTED  BY  THE
 COMMISSION;
   11. IS NOT CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN AN ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM;
   12.  IS  SUBJECT  TO  SELF-DISCLOSURE  REQUIREMENTS  REGARDING CURRENT
 PARTICIPATION IN AN ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM; AND
   13. HAS A VALID UNITED STATES SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.
   C. AN APRN ISSUED  A  MULTISTATE  LICENSE  SHALL  BE  LICENSED  IN  AN
 APPROVED ROLE AND AT LEAST ONE APPROVED POPULATION FOCUS.
   D.  AN APRN MULTISTATE LICENSE ISSUED BY A HOME STATE TO A RESIDENT IN
 THAT STATE WILL BE RECOGNIZED BY EACH PARTY  STATE  AS  AUTHORIZING  THE
 APRN  TO  PRACTICE  AS  AN  APRN IN EACH PARTY STATE, UNDER A MULTISTATE
 LICENSURE PRIVILEGE, IN THE SAME ROLE AND POPULATION FOCUS AS  THE  APRN
 IS LICENSED IN THE HOME STATE.
   E.  NOTHING  IN THIS COMPACT SHALL AFFECT THE REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED
 BY A PARTY STATE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A SINGLE-STATE LICENSE, EXCEPT THAT
 AN INDIVIDUAL MAY APPLY FOR A SINGLE-STATE LICENSE, INSTEAD OF A  MULTI-
 STATE  LICENSE,  EVEN IF OTHERWISE QUALIFIED FOR THE MULTISTATE LICENSE.
 HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OF SUCH AN INDIVIDUAL TO AFFIRMATIVELY  OPT  FOR  A
 SINGLE STATE LICENSE MAY RESULT IN THE ISSUANCE OF A MULTISTATE LICENSE.
   F.  ISSUANCE  OF AN APRN MULTISTATE LICENSE SHALL INCLUDE PRESCRIPTIVE
 AUTHORITY FOR NONCONTROLLED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
   G. FOR EACH STATE IN  WHICH  AN  APRN  SEEKS  AUTHORITY  TO  PRESCRIBE
 CONTROLLED  SUBSTANCES,  THE APRN SHALL SATISFY ALL REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED
 BY SUCH STATE IN GRANTING AND/OR RENEWING SUCH AUTHORITY.
   H. AN APRN ISSUED A MULTISTATE LICENSE IS AUTHORIZED TO ASSUME RESPON-
 SIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR PATIENT CARE INDEPENDENT OF ANY SUPERVI-
 SORY OR COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIP.  THIS AUTHORITY MAY BE EXERCISED  IN
 A. 7946                            19
 
 THE  HOME  STATE  AND  IN ANY REMOTE STATE IN WHICH THE APRN EXERCISES A
 MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVILEGE.
   I.  ALL PARTY STATES SHALL BE AUTHORIZED, IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE DUE
 PROCESS LAWS, TO TAKE ADVERSE ACTION AGAINST AN APRN'S MULTISTATE LICEN-
 SURE PRIVILEGE SUCH AS REVOCATION, SUSPENSION, PROBATION  OR  ANY  OTHER
 ACTION  THAT  AFFECTS AN APRN'S AUTHORIZATION TO PRACTICE UNDER A MULTI-
 STATE LICENSURE PRIVILEGE, INCLUDING CEASE  AND  DESIST  ACTIONS.  IF  A
 PARTY  STATE TAKES SUCH ACTION, IT SHALL PROMPTLY NOTIFY THE ADMINISTRA-
 TOR OF THE COORDINATED LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM.  THE  ADMINISTRATOR
 OF  THE  COORDINATED  LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM SHALL PROMPTLY NOTIFY
 THE HOME STATE OF ANY SUCH ACTIONS BY REMOTE STATES.
   J. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN  THIS  COMPACT,  AN  APRN
 PRACTICING  IN A PARTY STATE MUST COMPLY WITH THE STATE PRACTICE LAWS OF
 THE STATE IN WHICH  THE  CLIENT  IS  LOCATED  AT  THE  TIME  SERVICE  IS
 PROVIDED.  APRN  PRACTICE  IS  NOT  LIMITED  TO  PATIENT CARE, BUT SHALL
 INCLUDE ALL ADVANCED NURSING PRACTICE AS DEFINED BY THE  STATE  PRACTICE
 LAWS OF THE PARTY STATE IN WHICH THE CLIENT IS LOCATED. APRN PRACTICE IN
 A  PARTY  STATE  UNDER A MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVILEGE WILL SUBJECT THE
 APRN TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE LICENSING BOARD,  THE  COURTS,  AND  THE
 LAWS  OF  THE  PARTY  STATE  IN  WHICH THE CLIENT IS LOCATED AT THE TIME
 SERVICE IS PROVIDED.
   K. EXCEPT AS  OTHERWISE  EXPRESSLY  PROVIDED  IN  THIS  COMPACT,  THIS
 COMPACT  DOES  NOT  AFFECT ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED BY STATES FOR
 ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSING.  HOWEVER, A  MULTISTATE  LICENSURE
 PRIVILEGE  TO PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSING GRANTED BY A PARTY STATE SHALL
 BE RECOGNIZED BY OTHER PARTY STATES AS SATISFYING ANY STATE LAW REQUIRE-
 MENT FOR REGISTERED NURSE LICENSURE AS A PRECONDITION FOR  AUTHORIZATION
 TO PRACTICE AS AN APRN IN THAT STATE.
   L. INDIVIDUALS NOT RESIDING IN A PARTY STATE SHALL CONTINUE TO BE ABLE
 TO APPLY FOR A PARTY STATE'S SINGLE-STATE APRN LICENSE AS PROVIDED UNDER
 THE LAWS OF EACH PARTY STATE.  HOWEVER, THE SINGLE-STATE LICENSE GRANTED
 TO THESE INDIVIDUALS WILL NOT BE RECOGNIZED AS GRANTING THE PRIVILEGE TO
 PRACTICE AS AN APRN IN ANY OTHER PARTY STATE.
 
                                ARTICLE IV.
             APPLICATIONS FOR APRN LICENSURE IN A PARTY STATE
 
   A.  UPON  APPLICATION  FOR  AN  APRN MULTISTATE LICENSE, THE LICENSING
 BOARD IN THE ISSUING PARTY STATE SHALL ASCERTAIN,  THROUGH  THE  COORDI-
 NATED  LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM, WHETHER THE APPLICANT HAS EVER HELD
 OR IS THE HOLDER OF A LICENSED PRACTICAL/VOCATIONAL NURSING  LICENSE,  A
 REGISTERED  NURSING  LICENSE  OR  AN  ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE
 LICENSE ISSUED BY ANY OTHER STATE, WHETHER THERE ARE ANY ENCUMBRANCES ON
 ANY LICENSE OR MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVILEGE  HELD  BY  THE  APPLICANT,
 WHETHER  ANY ADVERSE ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN AGAINST ANY LICENSE OR MULTI-
 STATE LICENSURE PRIVILEGE HELD BY THE APPLICANT AND WHETHER  THE  APPLI-
 CANT IS CURRENTLY PARTICIPATING IN AN ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM.
   B.  AN  APRN  MAY  HOLD  A MULTISTATE APRN LICENSE, ISSUED BY THE HOME
 STATE, IN ONLY ONE PARTY STATE AT A TIME.
   C. IF AN APRN CHANGES PRIMARY STATE OF RESIDENCE BY MOVING BETWEEN TWO
 PARTY STATES, THE APRN MUST APPLY FOR APRN LICENSURE  IN  THE  NEW  HOME
 STATE,  AND  THE MULTISTATE LICENSE ISSUED BY THE PRIOR HOME STATE SHALL
 BE DEACTIVATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE COMMISSION RULES.
   1. THE APRN MAY APPLY FOR LICENSURE IN ADVANCE OF A CHANGE IN  PRIMARY
 STATE OF RESIDENCE.
 A. 7946                            20
 
   2. A MULTISTATE APRN LICENSE SHALL NOT BE ISSUED BY THE NEW HOME STATE
 UNTIL  THE  APRN  PROVIDES  SATISFACTORY EVIDENCE OF A CHANGE IN PRIMARY
 STATE OF RESIDENCE TO THE NEW HOME STATE AND  SATISFIES  ALL  APPLICABLE
 REQUIREMENTS  TO  OBTAIN  A  MULTISTATE  APRN  LICENSE FROM THE NEW HOME
 STATE.
   D.  IF  AN  APRN  CHANGES  PRIMARY STATE OF RESIDENCE BY MOVING FROM A
 PARTY STATE TO A NON-PARTY STATE, THE APRN MULTISTATE LICENSE ISSUED  BY
 THE  PRIOR HOME STATE WILL CONVERT TO A SINGLE-STATE LICENSE, VALID ONLY
 IN THE FORMER HOME STATE.
 
                                ARTICLE V.
      ADDITIONAL AUTHORITIES INVESTED IN PARTY STATE LICENSING BOARDS
 
   A. IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER POWERS CONFERRED BY STATE LAW, A LICENSING
 BOARD SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO:
   1. TAKE ADVERSE ACTION AGAINST AN APRN'S MULTISTATE  LICENSURE  PRIVI-
 LEGE TO PRACTICE WITHIN THAT PARTY STATE.
   I. ONLY THE HOME STATE SHALL HAVE POWER TO TAKE ADVERSE ACTION AGAINST
 AN APRN'S LICENSE ISSUED BY THE HOME STATE.
   II.  FOR  PURPOSES  OF TAKING ADVERSE ACTION, THE HOME STATE LICENSING
 BOARD SHALL GIVE THE SAME PRIORITY AND EFFECT TO REPORTED  CONDUCT  THAT
 OCCURRED  OUTSIDE  OF  THE  HOME  STATE  AS IT WOULD IF SUCH CONDUCT HAD
 OCCURRED WITHIN THE HOME STATE. IN SO DOING, THE HOME STATE SHALL  APPLY
 ITS OWN STATE LAWS TO DETERMINE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
   2. ISSUE CEASE AND DESIST ORDERS OR IMPOSE AN ENCUMBRANCE ON AN APRN'S
 AUTHORITY TO PRACTICE WITHIN THAT PARTY STATE.
   3.  COMPLETE ANY PENDING INVESTIGATIONS OF AN APRN WHO CHANGES PRIMARY
 STATE OF RESIDENCE DURING THE COURSE OF SUCH INVESTIGATIONS. THE LICENS-
 ING BOARD SHALL ALSO HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO  TAKE  APPROPRIATE  ACTION(S)
 AND  SHALL PROMPTLY REPORT THE CONCLUSIONS OF SUCH INVESTIGATIONS TO THE
 ADMINISTRATOR OF  THE  COORDINATED  LICENSURE  INFORMATION  SYSTEM.  THE
 ADMINISTRATOR  OF  THE  COORDINATED  LICENSURE  INFORMATION SYSTEM SHALL
 PROMPTLY NOTIFY THE NEW HOME STATE OF ANY SUCH ACTIONS.
   4. ISSUE SUBPOENAS FOR BOTH HEARINGS AND INVESTIGATIONS  THAT  REQUIRE
 THE ATTENDANCE AND TESTIMONY OF WITNESSES, AS WELL AS, THE PRODUCTION OF
 EVIDENCE.  SUBPOENAS  ISSUED  BY  A  PARTY STATE LICENSING BOARD FOR THE
 ATTENDANCE AND TESTIMONY OF WITNESSES AND/OR THE PRODUCTION OF  EVIDENCE
 FROM  ANOTHER  PARTY  STATE SHALL BE ENFORCED IN THE LATTER STATE BY ANY
 COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION, ACCORDING TO THAT COURT'S PRACTICE  AND
 PROCEDURE  IN  CONSIDERING  SUBPOENAS ISSUED IN ITS OWN PROCEEDINGS. THE
 ISSUING LICENSING BOARD SHALL PAY ANY  WITNESS  FEES,  TRAVEL  EXPENSES,
 MILEAGE  AND OTHER FEES REQUIRED BY THE SERVICE STATUTES OF THE STATE IN
 WHICH THE WITNESSES AND/OR EVIDENCE ARE LOCATED.
   5. OBTAIN AND SUBMIT, FOR AN APRN LICENSURE APPLICANT, FINGERPRINTS OR
 OTHER BIOMETRIC-BASED INFORMATION TO THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
 FOR CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS,  RECEIVE  THE  RESULTS  OF  THE  FEDERAL
 BUREAU  OF INVESTIGATION RECORD SEARCH ON CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS AND
 USE THE RESULTS IN MAKING LICENSURE DECISIONS.
   6. IF OTHERWISE PERMITTED BY STATE LAW, RECOVER FROM THE AFFECTED APRN
 THE COSTS OF INVESTIGATIONS AND DISPOSITION OF CASES RESULTING FROM  ANY
 ADVERSE ACTION TAKEN AGAINST THAT APRN.
   7.  TAKE ADVERSE ACTION BASED ON THE FACTUAL FINDINGS OF ANOTHER PARTY
 STATE, PROVIDED THAT THE LICENSING BOARD FOLLOWS ITS OWN PROCEDURES  FOR
 TAKING SUCH ADVERSE ACTION.
   B. IF ADVERSE ACTION IS TAKEN BY A HOME STATE AGAINST AN APRN'S MULTI-
 STATE  LICENSURE,  THE  PRIVILEGE  TO PRACTICE IN ALL OTHER PARTY STATES
 A. 7946                            21

 UNDER A MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVILEGE SHALL BE  DEACTIVATED  UNTIL  ALL
 ENCUMBRANCES  HAVE  BEEN REMOVED FROM THE APRN'S MULTISTATE LICENSE. ALL
 HOME STATE DISCIPLINARY ORDERS THAT IMPOSE  ADVERSE  ACTION  AGAINST  AN
 APRN'S  MULTISTATE  LICENSE  SHALL  INCLUDE  A STATEMENT THAT THE APRN'S
 MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVILEGE IS DEACTIVATED IN ALL PARTY STATES DURING
 THE PENDENCY OF THE ORDER.
   C. NOTHING IN THIS COMPACT SHALL OVERRIDE  A  PARTY  STATE'S  DECISION
 THAT  PARTICIPATION  IN  AN  ALTERNATIVE  PROGRAM MAY BE USED IN LIEU OF
 ADVERSE ACTION. THE HOME STATE  LICENSING  BOARD  SHALL  DEACTIVATE  THE
 MULTISTATE  LICENSURE PRIVILEGE UNDER THE MULTISTATE LICENSE OF ANY APRN
 FOR THE DURATION OF THE APRN'S PARTICIPATION IN AN ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM.

                                ARTICLE VI.
   COORDINATED LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM AND EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION
 
   A. ALL PARTY STATES  SHALL  PARTICIPATE  IN  A  COORDINATED  LICENSURE
 INFORMATION SYSTEM OF ALL APRNS, LICENSED REGISTERED NURSES AND LICENSED
 PRACTICAL/VOCATIONAL NURSES. THIS SYSTEM WILL INCLUDE INFORMATION ON THE
 LICENSURE  AND  DISCIPLINARY HISTORY OF EACH APRN, AS SUBMITTED BY PARTY
 STATES, TO ASSIST IN THE COORDINATED ADMINISTRATION  OF  APRN  LICENSURE
 AND ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS.
   B. THE COMMISSION, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE COOR-
 DINATED  LICENSURE  INFORMATION  SYSTEM,  SHALL  FORMULATE NECESSARY AND
 PROPER PROCEDURES FOR THE IDENTIFICATION,  COLLECTION  AND  EXCHANGE  OF
 INFORMATION UNDER THIS COMPACT.
   C.  ALL  LICENSING  BOARDS  SHALL  PROMPTLY  REPORT TO THE COORDINATED
 LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM ANY ADVERSE ACTION, ANY CURRENT SIGNIFICANT
 INVESTIGATIVE INFORMATION, DENIALS OF APPLICATIONS (WITH THE REASONS FOR
 SUCH DENIALS) AND APRN PARTICIPATION IN ALTERNATIVE  PROGRAMS  KNOWN  TO
 THE  LICENSING  BOARD REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH PARTICIPATION IS DEEMED
 NONPUBLIC AND/OR CONFIDENTIAL UNDER STATE LAW.
   D. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, ALL PARTY STATE LICENS-
 ING BOARDS CONTRIBUTING INFORMATION TO THE COORDINATED LICENSURE  INFOR-
 MATION  SYSTEM  MAY  DESIGNATE  INFORMATION  THAT MAY NOT BE SHARED WITH
 NON-PARTY STATES OR DISCLOSED TO OTHER ENTITIES OR  INDIVIDUALS  WITHOUT
 THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF THE CONTRIBUTING STATE.
   E.  ANY  PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THE COORDI-
 NATED LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM BY  A  PARTY  STATE  LICENSING  BOARD
 SHALL NOT BE SHARED WITH NON-PARTY STATES OR DISCLOSED TO OTHER ENTITIES
 OR  INDIVIDUALS  EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY THE LAWS OF THE PARTY
 STATE CONTRIBUTING THE INFORMATION.
   F. ANY INFORMATION CONTRIBUTED TO THE COORDINATED  LICENSURE  INFORMA-
 TION  SYSTEM THAT IS SUBSEQUENTLY REQUIRED TO BE EXPUNGED BY THE LAWS OF
 THE PARTY STATE CONTRIBUTING THE INFORMATION SHALL BE REMOVED  FROM  THE
 COORDINATED LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM.
   G.  THE  COMPACT  ADMINISTRATOR  OF  EACH  PARTY STATE SHALL FURNISH A
 UNIFORM DATA SET TO THE COMPACT ADMINISTRATOR OF EACH OTHER PARTY STATE,
 WHICH SHALL INCLUDE, AT A MINIMUM:
   1. IDENTIFYING INFORMATION;
   2. LICENSURE DATA;
   3. INFORMATION RELATED TO ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM  PARTICIPATION  INFORMA-
 TION; AND
   4.  OTHER  INFORMATION  THAT MAY FACILITATE THE ADMINISTRATION OF THIS
 COMPACT, AS DETERMINED BY COMMISSION RULES.
   H. THE COMPACT ADMINISTRATOR OF A PARTY STATE SHALL PROVIDE ALL INVES-
 TIGATIVE DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION REQUESTED BY ANOTHER PARTY STATE.
 A. 7946                            22
 
                               ARTICLE VII.
        ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION OF APRN COMPACT
                              ADMINISTRATORS
 
   A.  THE PARTY STATES HEREBY CREATE AND ESTABLISH A JOINT PUBLIC AGENCY
 KNOWN AS THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION OF APRN COMPACT ADMINISTRATORS.
   1. THE COMMISSION IS AN INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE PARTY STATES.
   2. VENUE IS PROPER, AND JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BY OR AGAINST THE COMMIS-
 SION SHALL BE BROUGHT SOLELY AND EXCLUSIVELY, IN A  COURT  OF  COMPETENT
 JURISDICTION  WHERE  THE  PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE COMMISSION IS LOCATED.
 THE COMMISSION MAY WAIVE VENUE AND JURISDICTIONAL DEFENSES TO THE EXTENT
 IT ADOPTS OR CONSENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN ALTERNATIVE  DISPUTE  RESOLUTION
 PROCEEDINGS.
   3. NOTHING IN THIS COMPACT SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO BE A WAIVER OF SOVER-
 EIGN IMMUNITY.
   B. MEMBERSHIP, VOTING AND MEETINGS.
   1.  EACH  PARTY  STATE SHALL HAVE AND BE LIMITED TO ONE ADMINISTRATOR.
 THE HEAD OF THE STATE LICENSING BOARD OR DESIGNEE SHALL BE THE  ADMINIS-
 TRATOR  OF  THIS  COMPACT FOR EACH PARTY STATE. ANY ADMINISTRATOR MAY BE
 REMOVED OR SUSPENDED FROM OFFICE AS PROVIDED BY THE  LAW  OF  THE  STATE
 FROM  WHICH THE ADMINISTRATOR IS APPOINTED. ANY VACANCY OCCURRING IN THE
 COMMISSION SHALL BE FILLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH  THE  LAWS  OF  THE  PARTY
 STATE IN WHICH THE VACANCY EXISTS.
   2. EACH ADMINISTRATOR SHALL BE ENTITLED TO ONE (1) VOTE WITH REGARD TO
 THE  PROMULGATION  OF  RULES  AND CREATION OF BYLAWS AND SHALL OTHERWISE
 HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BUSINESS AND  AFFAIRS  OF  THE
 COMMISSION. AN ADMINISTRATOR SHALL VOTE IN PERSON OR BY SUCH OTHER MEANS
 AS PROVIDED IN THE BYLAWS. THE BYLAWS MAY PROVIDE FOR AN ADMINISTRATOR'S
 PARTICIPATION IN MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE OR OTHER MEANS OF COMMUNICATION.
   3.  THE COMMISSION SHALL MEET AT LEAST ONCE DURING EACH CALENDAR YEAR.
 ADDITIONAL MEETINGS SHALL BE HELD AS SET FORTH IN THE BYLAWS OR RULES OF
 THE COMMISSION.
   4. ALL MEETINGS SHALL BE OPEN TO THE  PUBLIC,  AND  PUBLIC  NOTICE  OF
 MEETINGS  SHALL  BE GIVEN IN THE SAME MANNER AS REQUIRED UNDER THE RULE-
 MAKING PROVISIONS IN ARTICLE VIII.
   5. THE COMMISSION MAY CONVENE IN A CLOSED, NONPUBLIC  MEETING  IF  THE
 COMMISSION MUST DISCUSS:
   I.  NONCOMPLIANCE  OF  A  PARTY  STATE WITH ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS
 COMPACT;
   II.  THE  EMPLOYMENT,  COMPENSATION,  DISCIPLINE  OR  OTHER  PERSONNEL
 MATTERS,  PRACTICES OR PROCEDURES RELATED TO SPECIFIC EMPLOYEES OR OTHER
 MATTERS RELATED TO THE COMMISSION'S  INTERNAL  PERSONNEL  PRACTICES  AND
 PROCEDURES;
   III. CURRENT, THREATENED, OR REASONABLY ANTICIPATED LITIGATION;
   IV.  NEGOTIATION  OF  CONTRACTS  FOR  THE  PURCHASE  OR SALE OF GOODS,
 SERVICES OR REAL ESTATE;
   V. ACCUSING ANY PERSON OF A CRIME OR FORMALLY CENSURING ANY PERSON;
   VI. DISCLOSURE OF TRADE SECRETS OR COMMERCIAL OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 THAT IS PRIVILEGED OR CONFIDENTIAL;
   VII. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION OF A PERSONAL NATURE  WHERE  DISCLOSURE
 WOULD CONSTITUTE A CLEARLY UNWARRANTED INVASION OF PERSONAL PRIVACY;
   VIII. DISCLOSURE OF INVESTIGATORY RECORDS COMPILED FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT
 PURPOSES;
   IX. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION RELATED TO ANY REPORTS PREPARED BY OR ON
 BEHALF  OF THE COMMISSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION OF COMPLIANCE
 WITH THIS COMPACT; OR
 A. 7946                            23
 
   X. MATTERS SPECIFICALLY EXEMPTED FROM DISCLOSURE BY FEDERAL  OR  STATE
 STATUTE.
   6.  IF  A MEETING, OR PORTION OF A MEETING, IS CLOSED PURSUANT TO THIS
 PROVISION, THE COMMISSION'S LEGAL COUNSEL OR DESIGNEE SHALL CERTIFY THAT
 THE MEETING MAY BE CLOSED AND SHALL REFERENCE  EACH  RELEVANT  EXEMPTING
 PROVISION.  THE  COMMISSION  SHALL  KEEP  MINUTES THAT FULLY AND CLEARLY
 DESCRIBE ALL MATTERS DISCUSSED IN A MEETING AND SHALL PROVIDE A FULL AND
 ACCURATE SUMMARY OF ACTIONS TAKEN, AND THE REASONS THEREFOR, INCLUDING A
 DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  VIEWS  EXPRESSED.  ALL  DOCUMENTS  CONSIDERED   IN
 CONNECTION  WITH  AN  ACTION  SHALL  BE  IDENTIFIED IN SUCH MINUTES. ALL
 MINUTES AND DOCUMENTS OF A  CLOSED  MEETING  SHALL  REMAIN  UNDER  SEAL,
 SUBJECT  TO  RELEASE  BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE COMMISSION OR ORDER OF A
 COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION.
   C. THE COMMISSION SHALL, BY A MAJORITY  VOTE  OF  THE  ADMINISTRATORS,
 PRESCRIBE  BYLAWS  OR RULES TO GOVERN ITS CONDUCT AS MAY BE NECESSARY OR
 APPROPRIATE TO CARRY OUT THE PURPOSES AND EXERCISE THE  POWERS  OF  THIS
 COMPACT, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
   1. ESTABLISHING THE FISCAL YEAR OF THE COMMISSION;
   2. PROVIDING REASONABLE STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES:
   I. FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MEETINGS OF OTHER COMMITTEES; AND
   II.  GOVERNING  ANY GENERAL OR SPECIFIC DELEGATION OF ANY AUTHORITY OR
 FUNCTION OF THE COMMISSION;
   3. PROVIDING REASONABLE PROCEDURES FOR CALLING AND CONDUCTING MEETINGS
 OF THE COMMISSION, ENSURING REASONABLE ADVANCE NOTICE  OF  ALL  MEETINGS
 AND  PROVIDING  AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ATTENDANCE OF SUCH MEETINGS BY INTER-
 ESTED PARTIES,  WITH  ENUMERATED  EXCEPTIONS  DESIGNED  TO  PROTECT  THE
 PUBLIC'S  INTEREST, THE PRIVACY OF INDIVIDUALS, AND PROPRIETARY INFORMA-
 TION, INCLUDING TRADE SECRETS. THE COMMISSION MAY MEET IN CLOSED SESSION
 ONLY AFTER A MAJORITY OF THE ADMINISTRATORS VOTE TO CLOSE A  MEETING  IN
 WHOLE  OR  IN  PART.  AS  SOON  AS PRACTICABLE, THE COMMISSION MUST MAKE
 PUBLIC A COPY OF THE VOTE TO CLOSE THE MEETING  REVEALING  THE  VOTE  OF
 EACH ADMINISTRATOR, WITH NO PROXY VOTES ALLOWED;
   4. ESTABLISHING THE TITLES, DUTIES AND AUTHORITY AND REASONABLE PROCE-
 DURES FOR THE ELECTION OF THE OFFICERS OF THE COMMISSION;
   5. PROVIDING REASONABLE STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT
 OF  THE PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROGRAMS OF THE COMMISSION. NOTWITHSTAND-
 ING ANY CIVIL SERVICE OR OTHER SIMILAR LAWS  OF  ANY  PARTY  STATE,  THE
 BYLAWS  SHALL  EXCLUSIVELY GOVERN THE PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROGRAMS OF
 THE COMMISSION;
   6. PROVIDING A MECHANISM FOR WINDING UP THE OPERATIONS OF THE  COMMIS-
 SION  AND  THE EQUITABLE DISPOSITION OF ANY SURPLUS FUNDS THAT MAY EXIST
 AFTER THE TERMINATION OF THIS COMPACT AFTER THE PAYMENT AND/OR RESERVING
 OF ALL OF ITS DEBTS AND OBLIGATIONS;
   D. THE COMMISSION SHALL PUBLISH ITS BYLAWS AND RULES, AND  ANY  AMEND-
 MENTS THERETO, IN A CONVENIENT FORM ON THE WEBSITE OF THE COMMISSION;
   E.  THE  COMMISSION SHALL MAINTAIN ITS FINANCIAL RECORDS IN ACCORDANCE
 WITH THE BYLAWS; AND
   F. THE COMMISSION SHALL MEET AND TAKE SUCH ACTIONS AS  ARE  CONSISTENT
 WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS COMPACT AND THE BYLAWS.
   G. THE COMMISSION SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING POWERS:
   1.  TO PROMULGATE UNIFORM RULES TO FACILITATE AND COORDINATE IMPLEMEN-
 TATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THIS COMPACT.  THE  RULES  SHALL  HAVE  THE
 FORCE AND EFFECT OF LAW AND SHALL BE BINDING IN ALL PARTY STATES;
   2.  TO BRING AND PROSECUTE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR ACTIONS IN THE NAME OF
 THE COMMISSION, PROVIDED THAT THE STANDING OF ANY LICENSING BOARD TO SUE
 OR BE SUED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW SHALL NOT BE AFFECTED;
 A. 7946                            24
 
   3. TO PURCHASE AND MAINTAIN INSURANCE AND BONDS;
   4.  TO BORROW, ACCEPT OR CONTRACT FOR SERVICES OF PERSONNEL, INCLUDING
 BUT NOT LIMITED TO EMPLOYEES OF A PARTY  STATE  OR  NONPROFIT  ORGANIZA-
 TIONS;
   5.  TO  COOPERATE  WITH  OTHER  ORGANIZATIONS  THAT  ADMINISTER  STATE
 COMPACTS RELATED TO THE REGULATION OF NURSING, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
 TO SHARING ADMINISTRATIVE OR  STAFF  EXPENSES,  OFFICE  SPACE  OR  OTHER
 RESOURCES;
   6.  TO  HIRE  EMPLOYEES,  ELECT OR APPOINT OFFICERS, FIX COMPENSATION,
 DEFINE DUTIES, GRANT SUCH INDIVIDUALS APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY TO CARRY OUT
 THE PURPOSES OF THIS COMPACT, AND TO ESTABLISH THE COMMISSION'S  PERSON-
 NEL  POLICIES AND PROGRAMS RELATING TO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, QUALIFICA-
 TIONS OF PERSONNEL AND OTHER RELATED PERSONNEL MATTERS;
   7. TO ACCEPT ANY AND ALL APPROPRIATE DONATIONS, GRANTS  AND  GIFTS  OF
 MONEY,  EQUIPMENT,  SUPPLIES,  MATERIALS  AND  SERVICES, AND TO RECEIVE,
 UTILIZE AND DISPOSE OF THE SAME; PROVIDED THAT AT ALL TIMES THE  COMMIS-
 SION SHALL STRIVE TO AVOID ANY APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY AND/OR CONFLICT
 OF INTEREST;
   8.  TO  LEASE,  PURCHASE, ACCEPT APPROPRIATE GIFTS OR DONATIONS OF, OR
 OTHERWISE TO OWN, HOLD, IMPROVE OR  USE,  ANY  PROPERTY,  WHETHER  REAL,
 PERSONAL  OR  MIXED;  PROVIDED  THAT  AT  ALL TIMES THE COMMISSION SHALL
 STRIVE TO AVOID ANY APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY;
   9. TO SELL CONVEY,  MORTGAGE,  PLEDGE,  LEASE,  EXCHANGE,  ABANDON  OR
 OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF ANY PROPERTY, WHETHER REAL, PERSONAL OR MIXED;
   10. TO ESTABLISH A BUDGET AND MAKE EXPENDITURES;
   11. TO BORROW MONEY;
   12.  TO APPOINT COMMITTEES, INCLUDING ADVISORY COMMITTEES COMPRISED OF
 ADMINISTRATORS, STATE NURSING REGULATORS,  STATE  LEGISLATORS  OR  THEIR
 REPRESENTATIVES, AND CONSUMER REPRESENTATIVES, AND OTHER SUCH INTERESTED
 PERSONS;
   13. TO ISSUE ADVISORY OPINIONS;
   14.  TO  PROVIDE  AND RECEIVE INFORMATION FROM, AND TO COOPERATE WITH,
 LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES;
   15. TO ADOPT AND USE AN OFFICIAL SEAL; AND
   16. TO PERFORM SUCH OTHER FUNCTIONS AS MAY BE NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE
 TO ACHIEVE THE PURPOSES OF THIS COMPACT CONSISTENT WITH THE STATE  REGU-
 LATION OF APRN LICENSURE AND PRACTICE.
   H. FINANCING OF THE COMMISSION.
   1.  THE  COMMISSION  SHALL  PAY,  OR  PROVIDE  FOR THE PAYMENT OF, THE
 REASONABLE EXPENSES  OF  ITS  ESTABLISHMENT,  ORGANIZATION  AND  ONGOING
 ACTIVITIES.
   2.  THE  COMMISSION  MAY ALSO LEVY ON AND COLLECT AN ANNUAL ASSESSMENT
 FROM EACH PARTY STATE TO COVER THE COST OF  ITS  OPERATIONS,  ACTIVITIES
 AND  STAFF  IN  ITS  ANNUAL  BUDGET AS APPROVED EACH YEAR. THE AGGREGATE
 ANNUAL ASSESSMENT AMOUNT, IF ANY, SHALL BE ALLOCATED BASED UPON A FORMU-
 LA TO BE DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSION, WHICH  SHALL  PROMULGATE  A  RULE
 THAT IS BINDING UPON ALL PARTY STATES.
   3.  THE  COMMISSION  SHALL  NOT INCUR OBLIGATIONS OF ANY KIND PRIOR TO
 SECURING THE FUNDS ADEQUATE TO MEET THE SAME; NOR SHALL  THE  COMMISSION
 PLEDGE  THE  CREDIT  OF ANY OF THE PARTY STATES, EXCEPT BY, AND WITH THE
 AUTHORITY OF, SUCH PARTY STATE.
   4. THE COMMISSION SHALL KEEP ACCURATE ACCOUNTS  OF  ALL  RECEIPTS  AND
 DISBURSEMENTS.    THE RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS OF THE COMMISSION SHALL
 BE SUBJECT TO THE AUDIT AND ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED UNDER  ITS
 BYLAWS.  HOWEVER, ALL RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS OF FUNDS HANDLED BY THE
 COMMISSION SHALL BY AUDITED YEARLY BY A  CERTIFIED  OR  LICENSED  PUBLIC
 A. 7946                            25
 
 ACCOUNTANT,  AND THE REPORT OF THE AUDIT SHALL BE INCLUDED IN AND BECOME
 PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMISSION.
   I. QUALIFIED IMMUNITY, DEFENSE, AND INDEMNIFICATION.
   1.  THE  ADMINISTRATORS,  OFFICERS,  EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EMPLOYEES AND
 REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMMISSION SHALL BE IMMUNE FROM SUIT AND  LIABIL-
 ITY,  EITHER PERSONALLY OR IN THEIR OFFICIAL CAPACITY, FOR ANY CLAIM FOR
 DAMAGE TO OR LOSS OF PROPERTY OR PERSONAL INJURY OR OTHER CIVIL  LIABIL-
 ITY  CAUSED  BY  OR  ARISING  OUT OF ANY ACTUAL OR ALLEGED ACT, ERROR OR
 OMISSION THAT OCCURRED, OR THAT THE PERSON AGAINST  WHOM  THE  CLAIM  IS
 MADE  HAD A REASONABLE BASIS FOR BELIEVING OCCURRED, WITHIN THE SCOPE OF
 COMMISSION EMPLOYMENT, DUTIES OR RESPONSIBILITIES; PROVIDED THAT NOTHING
 IN THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO PROTECT  ANY  SUCH  PERSON  FROM
 SUIT  AND/OR  LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE, LOSS, INJURY OR LIABILITY CAUSED
 BY THE INTENTIONAL, WILLFUL OR WANTON MISCONDUCT OF THAT PERSON.
   2. THE COMMISSION SHALL DEFEND ANY ADMINISTRATOR,  OFFICER,  EXECUTIVE
 DIRECTOR,  EMPLOYEE  OR  REPRESENTATIVE  OF  THE COMMISSION IN ANY CIVIL
 ACTION SEEKING TO IMPOSE LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF ANY ACTUAL OR  ALLEGED
 ACT,  ERROR  OR  OMISSION  THAT  OCCURRED WITHIN THE SCOPE OF COMMISSION
 EMPLOYMENT, DUTIES OR RESPONSIBILITIES, OR THAT THE PERSON AGAINST  WHOM
 THE  CLAIM  IS MADE HAD A REASONABLE BASIS FOR BELIEVING OCCURRED WITHIN
 THE SCOPE OF COMMISSION EMPLOYMENT, DUTIES OR RESPONSIBILITIES; PROVIDED
 THAT NOTHING HEREIN SHALL BE CONSTRUED  TO  PROHIBIT  THAT  PERSON  FROM
 RETAINING  HIS  OR HER OWN COUNSEL; AND PROVIDED FURTHER THAT THE ACTUAL
 OR ALLEGED ACT, ERROR OR OMISSION DID  NOT  RESULT  FROM  THAT  PERSON'S
 INTENTIONAL, WILLFUL OR WANTON MISCONDUCT.
   3. THE COMMISSION SHALL INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS ANY ADMINISTRATOR,
 OFFICER,  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR, EMPLOYEE OR REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMIS-
 SION FOR THE AMOUNT OF ANY SETTLEMENT OR JUDGMENT OBTAINED AGAINST  THAT
 PERSON  ARISING OUT OF ANY ACTUAL OR ALLEGED ACT, ERROR OR OMISSION THAT
 OCCURRED WITHIN THE SCOPE OF COMMISSION EMPLOYMENT, DUTIES OR  RESPONSI-
 BILITIES,  OR  THAT  SUCH  PERSON  HAD  A REASONABLE BASIS FOR BELIEVING
 OCCURRED WITHIN THE SCOPE OF COMMISSION EMPLOYMENT, DUTIES OR  RESPONSI-
 BILITIES, PROVIDED THAT THE ACTUAL OR ALLEGED ACT, ERROR OR OMISSION DID
 NOT  RESULT  FROM  THE INTENTIONAL, WILLFUL OR WANTON MISCONDUCT OF THAT
 PERSON.

                               ARTICLE VIII.
                                RULEMAKING
 
   A. THE COMMISSION SHALL EXERCISE ITS RULEMAKING POWERS PURSUANT TO THE
 CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE AND  THE  RULES  ADOPTED  THEREUNDER.
 RULES  AND  AMENDMENTS  SHALL BECOME BINDING AS OF THE DATE SPECIFIED IN
 EACH RULE OR AMENDMENT AND SHALL HAVE  THE  SAME  FORCE  AND  EFFECT  AS
 PROVISIONS OF THIS COMPACT.
   B.  RULES  OR AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES SHALL BE ADOPTED AT A REGULAR OR
 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMISSION.
   C. PRIOR TO PROMULGATION AND ADOPTION OF A FINAL RULE OR RULES BY  THE
 COMMISSION,  AND  AT  LEAST SIXTY (60) DAYS IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING AT
 WHICH THE RULE WILL BE CONSIDERED AND VOTED UPON, THE  COMMISSION  SHALL
 FILE A NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING:
   1. ON THE WEBSITE OF THE COMMISSION; AND
   2.  ON THE WEBSITE OF EACH LICENSING BOARD OR THE PUBLICATION IN WHICH
 EACH STATE WOULD OTHERWISE PUBLISH PROPOSED RULES.
   D. THE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING SHALL INCLUDE:
   1. THE PROPOSED TIME, DATE AND LOCATION OF THE MEETING  IN  WHICH  THE
 RULE WILL BE CONSIDERED AND VOTED UPON;
 A. 7946                            26
 
   2.  THE TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE OR AMENDMENT, AND THE REASON FOR THE
 PROPOSED RULE;
   3.  A  REQUEST  FOR  COMMENTS ON THE PROPOSED RULE FROM ANY INTERESTED
 PERSON; AND
   4. THE MANNER IN WHICH INTERESTED PERSONS MAY  SUBMIT  NOTICE  TO  THE
 COMMISSION OF THEIR INTENTION TO ATTEND THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ANY WRIT-
 TEN COMMENTS.
   E.  PRIOR  TO  ADOPTION OF A PROPOSED RULE, THE COMMISSION SHALL ALLOW
 PERSONS TO SUBMIT WRITTEN DATA, FACTS,  OPINIONS  AND  ARGUMENTS,  WHICH
 SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
   F.  THE  COMMISSION  SHALL  GRANT  AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A PUBLIC HEARING
 BEFORE IT ADOPTS A RULE OR AMENDMENT.
   G. THE COMMISSION SHALL PUBLISH THE PLACE, TIME, AND DATE OF THE SCHE-
 DULED PUBLIC HEARING.
   1. HEARINGS SHALL BE CONDUCTED IN A MANNER PROVIDING EACH  PERSON  WHO
 WISHES TO COMMENT A FAIR AND REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ORALLY OR
 IN  WRITING.  ALL  HEARINGS  WILL  BE  RECORDED, AND A COPY WILL BE MADE
 AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
   2. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS REQUIRING A  SEPARATE
 HEARING  ON  EACH  RULE. RULES MAY BE GROUPED FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE
 COMMISSION AT HEARINGS REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION.
   H. IF NO ONE APPEARS AT THE PUBLIC HEARING, THE COMMISSION MAY PROCEED
 WITH PROMULGATION OF THE PROPOSED RULE.
   I. FOLLOWING THE SCHEDULED HEARING DATE, OR BY THE CLOSE  OF  BUSINESS
 ON  THE  SCHEDULED HEARING DATE IF THE HEARING WAS NOT HELD, THE COMMIS-
 SION SHALL CONSIDER ALL WRITTEN AND ORAL COMMENTS RECEIVED.
   J. THE COMMISSION SHALL, BY MAJORITY VOTE OF ALL ADMINISTRATORS,  TAKE
 FINAL ACTION ON THE PROPOSED RULE AND SHALL DETERMINE THE EFFECTIVE DATE
 OF THE RULE, IF ANY, BASED ON THE RULEMAKING RECORD AND THE FULL TEXT OF
 THE RULE.
   K.  UPON  DETERMINATION  THAT  AN EMERGENCY EXISTS, THE COMMISSION MAY
 CONSIDER AND ADOPT AN EMERGENCY RULE WITHOUT PRIOR  NOTICE,  OPPORTUNITY
 FOR  COMMENT,  OR HEARING, PROVIDED THAT THE USUAL RULEMAKING PROCEDURES
 PROVIDED IN THIS COMPACT AND IN  THIS  SECTION  SHALL  BE  RETROACTIVELY
 APPLIED  TO  THE  RULE AS SOON AS REASONABLY POSSIBLE, IN NO EVENT LATER
 THAN NINETY (90) DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE  OF  THE  RULE.  FOR  THE
 PURPOSES  OF  THIS  PROVISION,  AN  EMERGENCY  RULE  IS ONE THAT MUST BE
 ADOPTED IMMEDIATELY IN ORDER TO:
   1. MEET AN IMMINENT THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY OR WELFARE;
   2. PREVENT A LOSS OF COMMISSION OR PARTY STATE FUNDS; OR
   3. MEET A DEADLINE FOR THE PROMULGATION OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE RULE THAT
 IS ESTABLISHED BY FEDERAL LAW OR RULE.
   L. THE COMMISSION MAY DIRECT REVISIONS TO A PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED RULE OR
 AMENDMENT FOR PURPOSES OF CORRECTING  TYPOGRAPHICAL  ERRORS,  ERRORS  IN
 FORMAT,  ERRORS  IN  CONSISTENCY OR GRAMMATICAL ERRORS. PUBLIC NOTICE OF
 ANY REVISIONS SHALL BE POSTED ON THE  WEBSITE  OF  THE  COMMISSION.  THE
 REVISION  SHALL  BE  SUBJECT  TO CHALLENGE BY ANY PERSON FOR A PERIOD OF
 THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER POSTING. THE REVISION MAY BE CHALLENGED  ONLY  ON
 GROUNDS  THAT  THE  REVISION  RESULTS  IN A MATERIAL CHANGE TO A RULE. A
 CHALLENGE SHALL BE MADE IN WRITING, AND  DELIVERED  TO  THE  COMMISSION,
 PRIOR  TO  THE  END  OF  THE NOTICE PERIOD. IF NO CHALLENGE IS MADE, THE
 REVISION WILL TAKE EFFECT WITHOUT FURTHER ACTION.  IF  THE  REVISION  IS
 CHALLENGED, THE REVISION MAY NOT TAKE EFFECT WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE
 COMMISSION.
 A. 7946                            27
 
                                ARTICLE IX.
               OVERSIGHT, DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND ENFORCEMENT
 
   A. OVERSIGHT.
   1.  EACH  PARTY  STATE SHALL ENFORCE THIS COMPACT AND TAKE ALL ACTIONS
 NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE TO  EFFECTUATE  THIS  COMPACT'S  PURPOSES  AND
 INTENT.
   2.  THE  COMMISSION SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS IN
 ANY PROCEEDING THAT MAY AFFECT THE POWERS, RESPONSIBILITIES  OR  ACTIONS
 OF  THE  COMMISSION,  AND  SHALL  HAVE  STANDING  TO INTERVENE IN SUCH A
 PROCEEDING FOR ALL PURPOSES. FAILURE TO PROVIDE SERVICE  OF  PROCESS  TO
 THE  COMMISSION  SHALL RENDER A JUDGMENT OR ORDER VOID AS TO THE COMMIS-
 SION, THIS COMPACT OR PROMULGATED RULES.
   B. DEFAULT, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TERMINATION.
   1. IF THE COMMISSION DETERMINES THAT A PARTY STATE  HAS  DEFAULTED  IN
 THE  PERFORMANCE  OF  ITS  OBLIGATIONS  OR  RESPONSIBILITIES  UNDER THIS
 COMPACT OR THE PROMULGATED RULES, THE COMMISSION SHALL:
   I. PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE  DEFAULTING  STATE  AND  OTHER  PARTY
 STATES  OF  THE  NATURE OF THE DEFAULT, THE PROPOSED MEANS OF CURING THE
 DEFAULT AND/OR ANY OTHER ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE COMMISSION; AND
   II.  PROVIDE  REMEDIAL  TRAINING  AND  SPECIFIC  TECHNICAL  ASSISTANCE
 REGARDING THE DEFAULT.
   2.  IF  A  STATE  IN DEFAULT FAILS TO CURE THE DEFAULT, THE DEFAULTING
 STATE'S MEMBERSHIP IN THIS COMPACT MAY BE TERMINATED UPON AN AFFIRMATIVE
 VOTE OF A MAJORITY OF THE ADMINISTRATORS, AND ALL RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES AND
 BENEFITS CONFERRED BY THIS COMPACT MAY BE TERMINATED  ON  THE  EFFECTIVE
 DATE  OF TERMINATION. A CURE OF THE DEFAULT DOES NOT RELIEVE THE OFFEND-
 ING STATE OF OBLIGATIONS OR LIABILITIES INCURRED DURING  THE  PERIOD  OF
 DEFAULT.
   3.  TERMINATION  OF  MEMBERSHIP  IN THIS COMPACT SHALL BE IMPOSED ONLY
 AFTER ALL OTHER MEANS OF SECURING COMPLIANCE HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED. NOTICE
 OF INTENT TO SUSPEND OR TERMINATE SHALL BE GIVEN BY  THE  COMMISSION  TO
 THE GOVERNOR OF THE DEFAULTING STATE AND TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE
 DEFAULTING  STATE'S  LICENSING  BOARD,  THE DEFAULTING STATE'S LICENSING
 BOARD, AND EACH OF THE PARTY STATES.
   4. A STATE WHOSE MEMBERSHIP IN THIS COMPACT  HAS  BEEN  TERMINATED  IS
 RESPONSIBLE  FOR  ALL  ASSESSMENTS, OBLIGATIONS AND LIABILITIES INCURRED
 THROUGH THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF TERMINATION,  INCLUDING  OBLIGATIONS  THAT
 EXTEND BEYOND THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF TERMINATION.
   5.  THE COMMISSION SHALL NOT BEAR ANY COSTS RELATED TO A STATE THAT IS
 FOUND TO BE IN DEFAULT OR WHOSE MEMBERSHIP  IN  THIS  COMPACT  HAS  BEEN
 TERMINATED, UNLESS AGREED UPON IN WRITING BETWEEN THE COMMISSION AND THE
 DEFAULTING STATE.
   6.  THE  DEFAULTING  STATE  MAY APPEAL THE ACTION OF THE COMMISSION BY
 PETITIONING THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OR  THE
 FEDERAL  DISTRICT IN WHICH THE COMMISSION HAS ITS PRINCIPAL OFFICES. THE
 PREVAILING PARTY SHALL BE AWARDED ALL COSTS OF SUCH LITIGATION,  INCLUD-
 ING REASONABLE ATTORNEYS' FEES.
   C. DISPUTE RESOLUTION.
   1.  UPON  REQUEST  BY  A  PARTY STATE, THE COMMISSION SHALL ATTEMPT TO
 RESOLVE DISPUTES RELATED TO THE COMPACT THAT ARISE  AMONG  PARTY  STATES
 AND BETWEEN PARTY AND NON-PARTY STATES.
   2. THE COMMISSION SHALL PROMULGATE A RULE PROVIDING FOR BOTH MEDIATION
 AND BINDING DISPUTE RESOLUTION FOR DISPUTES, AS APPROPRIATE.
   3.  IN  THE  EVENT  THE COMMISSION CANNOT RESOLVE DISPUTES AMONG PARTY
 STATES ARISING UNDER THIS COMPACT:
 A. 7946                            28
 
   I. THE PARTY STATES MAY SUBMIT THE ISSUES IN DISPUTE TO AN ARBITRATION
 PANEL, WHICH WILL BE COMPRISED OF INDIVIDUALS APPOINTED BY  THE  COMPACT
 ADMINISTRATOR  IN  EACH  OF  THE AFFECTED PARTY STATES AND AN INDIVIDUAL
 MUTUALLY AGREED UPON BY THE COMPACT  ADMINISTRATORS  OF  ALL  THE  PARTY
 STATES INVOLVED IN THE DISPUTE.
   II.  THE  DECISION OF A MAJORITY OF THE ARBITRATORS SHALL BE FINAL AND
 BINDING.
   D. ENFORCEMENT.
   1. THE COMMISSION, IN THE REASONABLE EXERCISE OF ITS DISCRETION, SHALL
 ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS AND RULES OF THIS COMPACT.
   2. BY MAJORITY VOTE, THE COMMISSION MAY INITIATE LEGAL ACTION  IN  THE
 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OR THE FEDERAL
 DISTRICT  IN  WHICH  THE  COMMISSION HAS ITS PRINCIPAL OFFICES AGAINST A
 PARTY STATE THAT IS IN DEFAULT TO ENFORCE COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS
 OF THIS COMPACT AND ITS PROMULGATED RULES AND BYLAWS. THE RELIEF  SOUGHT
 MAY  INCLUDE  BOTH  INJUNCTIVE RELIEF AND DAMAGES. IN THE EVENT JUDICIAL
 ENFORCEMENT IS NECESSARY, THE PREVAILING  PARTY  SHALL  BE  AWARDED  ALL
 COSTS OF SUCH LITIGATION, INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEYS' FEES.
   3.  THE  REMEDIES  HEREIN  SHALL  NOT BE THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES OF THE
 COMMISSION. THE COMMISSION MAY PURSUE ANY OTHER REMEDIES AVAILABLE UNDER
 FEDERAL OR STATE LAW.
 
                                ARTICLE X.
                 EFFECTIVE DATE, WITHDRAWAL AND AMENDMENT
 
   A. THIS COMPACT SHALL COME INTO LIMITED EFFECT AT SUCH  TIME  AS  THIS
 COMPACT HAS BEEN ENACTED INTO LAW IN SEVEN (7) PARTY STATES FOR THE SOLE
 PURPOSE  OF  ESTABLISHING  AND  CONVENING  THE COMMISSION TO ADOPT RULES
 RELATING TO ITS OPERATION.
   B. ANY STATE THAT JOINS THIS COMPACT SUBSEQUENT  TO  THE  COMMISSION'S
 INITIAL  ADOPTION  OF  THE  APRN UNIFORM LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS SHALL BE
 SUBJECT TO ALL RULES THAT HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED  BY  THE  COMMIS-
 SION.
   C.  ANY PARTY STATE MAY WITHDRAW FROM THIS COMPACT BY ENACTING A STAT-
 UTE REPEALING THE SAME. A PARTY STATE'S WITHDRAWAL SHALL NOT TAKE EFFECT
 UNTIL SIX (6) MONTHS AFTER ENACTMENT OF THE REPEALING STATUTE.
   D. A PARTY STATE'S WITHDRAWAL OR  TERMINATION  SHALL  NOT  AFFECT  THE
 CONTINUING  REQUIREMENT OF THE WITHDRAWING OR TERMINATED STATE'S LICENS-
 ING BOARD TO  REPORT  ADVERSE  ACTIONS  AND  SIGNIFICANT  INVESTIGATIONS
 OCCURRING PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF SUCH WITHDRAWAL OR TERMINATION.
   E.  NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS COMPACT SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO INVALIDATE
 OR PREVENT ANY APRN LICENSURE AGREEMENT OR OTHER COOPERATIVE ARRANGEMENT
 BETWEEN A PARTY STATE AND A NON-PARTY STATE THAT DOES NOT CONFLICT  WITH
 THE PROVISIONS OF THIS COMPACT.
   F.  THIS  COMPACT  MAY BE AMENDED BY THE PARTY STATES. NO AMENDMENT TO
 THIS COMPACT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE AND BINDING  UPON  ANY  PARTY  STATE
 UNTIL IT IS ENACTED INTO THE LAWS OF ALL PARTY STATES.
   G.  REPRESENTATIVES  OF  NON-PARTY  STATES  TO  THIS  COMPACT SHALL BE
 INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMISSION, ON A NONVOT-
 ING BASIS, PRIOR TO THE ADOPTION OF THIS COMPACT BY ALL STATES.
 
                                ARTICLE XI.
                       CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY
 
   THIS COMPACT SHALL BE LIBERALLY CONSTRUED  SO  AS  TO  EFFECTUATE  THE
 PURPOSES THEREOF. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS COMPACT SHALL BE SEVERABLE, AND
 A. 7946                            29
 
 IF ANY PHRASE, CLAUSE, SENTENCE OR PROVISION OF THIS COMPACT IS DECLARED
 TO  BE  CONTRARY TO THE CONSTITUTION OF ANY PARTY STATE OR OF THE UNITED
 STATES, OR IF THE  APPLICABILITY  THEREOF  TO  ANY  GOVERNMENT,  AGENCY,
 PERSON OR CIRCUMSTANCE IS HELD INVALID, THE VALIDITY OF THE REMAINDER OF
 THIS  COMPACT  AND  THE APPLICABILITY THEREOF TO ANY GOVERNMENT, AGENCY,
 PERSON OR CIRCUMSTANCE SHALL NOT BE AFFECTED THEREBY.  IF  THIS  COMPACT
 SHALL  BE  HELD  TO  BE CONTRARY TO THE CONSTITUTION OF ANY PARTY STATE,
 THIS COMPACT SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AS TO  THE  REMAINING
 PARTY STATES AND IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AS TO THE PARTY STATE AFFECTED
 AS TO ALL SEVERABLE MATTERS.
   §  2.  This  act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
 have become a law.    Effective  immediately,  the  addition,  amendment
 and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
 of  this  act  on  its  effective  date  are  authorized  to be made and
 completed on or before such effective date.
   § 2. Severability clause. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivi-
 sion, section or part of this act shall be  adjudged  by  any  court  of
 competent  jurisdiction  to  be invalid, such judgment shall not affect,
 impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall  be  confined  in
 its  operation  to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section
 or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judg-
 ment shall have been rendered. It is hereby declared to be the intent of
 the legislature that this act would  have  been  enacted  even  if  such
 invalid provisions had not been included herein.
   §  3.  This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that
 the applicable effective date of Parts A through B of this act shall  be
 as specifically set forth in the last section of such Parts.