Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact

EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
*hb0619*

HOUSE BILL 619
J2 6lr3277
CF SB 333
By: Delegate Cullison
Introduced and read first time: January 30, 2026
Assigned to: Health
Committee Report: Favorable
House action: Adopted
Read second time: February 22, 2026

CHAPTER ______

AN ACT concerning 1

Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact 2

FOR the purpose of entering into the Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact; 3
authorizing a podiatrist to practice in a participating state under certain scope of 4
practice rules; establishing the Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact 5
Commission to oversee the Compact and its duties and powers; and generally 6
relating to the Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact. 7

BY adding to 8
Article – Health Occupations 9
Section 16 –3A–01 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 3A. Interstate Podiatric 10
Medical Licensure Compact” 11
Annotated Code of Maryland 12
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 13

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 14
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 15

Article – Health Occupations 16

SUBTITLE 3A. INTERSTATE PODIATRIC MEDICAL LICENSURE COMPACT. 17

16–3A–01. 18

SECTION 1. PURPOSE 19
2 HOUSE BILL 619

IN ORDER TO STRENGTHEN ACCESS TO HEALTH C ARE, AND IN RECOGNITION 1
OF THE ADVANCES IN THE DELIVERY IN HEALTH CARE, THE MEMBER STATES OF THE 2
INTERSTATE PODIATRIC MEDICAL LICENSURE COMPACT HAVE ALLIED IN COMMON 3
PURPOSE TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE PROCES S THAT C OMPLEMENTS THE 4
EXISTING LICENSING AND REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF STATE PODIATRIC MEDICAL 5
BOARDS AND PROVIDES A STREAMLINED PROCESS THAT ALLOWS PODIAT RISTS TO 6
BECOME LICENSED IN MULTIPLE STATES, THEREBY ENHANCING THE PORTABILITY 7
OF A PODIATRIC MEDICAL LICENSE AND ENSURING THE SAFETY OF PATIENTS. THE 8
COMPACT CREATES ANOTH ER PATHWAY FOR LICEN SURE AND DOES NOT 9
OTHERWISE CHANGE A S TATE’S EXISTING PODIATRIC MEDICAL PRACTICE ACT. 10
THE COMPACT ALSO ADOPTS T HE PREVAILING STANDA RD FOR LICENSURE AND 11
AFFIRMS THAT THE PRA CTICE OF PODIATRIC MED ICINE OCCURS WHERE T HE 12
PATIENT IS LOCATED AT THE TIME OF THE PODIATRIST–PATIENT ENCOUNTER, AND 13
THEREFORE, REQUIRES THE PODIATRIST TO BE UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE 14
STATE PODIATRIC MEDI CAL BOARD WHERE THE PATIENT IS LOCATED . STATE 15
PODIATRIC MEDICAL BOARDS THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE COMPACT RETAIN THE 16
JURISDICTION TO IMPOSE AN ADVERSE ACTION AGAINST A LICENSE TO PRACTICE 17
PODIATRIC MEDICINE I N THAT STATE ISSUED TO A PODIATRIST THRO UGH THE 18
PROCEDURES IN THE COMPACT. 19

SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS 20

IN THIS COMPACT: 21

(A) “BYLAWS” MEANS THOSE BYLAWS E STABLISHED BY THE INTERSTATE 22
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO SECTION 11. 23

(B) “COMMISSIONER” MEANS THE VOTING REP RESENTATIVE APPOINTE D 24
BY EACH MEMBER BOARD PURSUANT TO SECTION 11. 25

(C) “CONVICTION” MEANS A FINDING BY A COURT THAT A N INDIVIDUAL IS 26
GUILTY OF A CRIMINAL OFFENSE THROUGH ADJU DICATION, OR ENTRY OF A PLEA 27
OF GUILT OR NO CONTE ST TO THE CHARGE BY THE OFFENDER. EVIDENCE OF AN 28
ENTRY OF CONVICTION OF A CRIMINAL OFFENS E BY THE COURT SHALL BE 29
CONSIDERED FINAL FOR PURPOSES OF DISCIPLINARY ACTION BY A MEMBER BOARD. 30

(D) “EXPEDITED LICENSE” MEANS A FULL UNRESTR ICTED PODIATRIC 31
MEDICAL LICENSE GRAN TED BY A MEMBER STAT E TO AN ELIGIBLE POD IATRIST 32
THROUGH THE PROCESS SET FORTH IN THE COMPACT. 33

(E) “CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK” MEANS THAT THE MEMBER BOARD IS 34
AUTHORIZED TO OBTAIN A FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION BIOMETR IC 35
HOUSE BILL 619 3

BASED FEDERAL CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK INFORMATION REPORT FR OM THE 1
AUTHORIZED STATE AGE NCY FOR THE EXCLUSIV E PURPOSE OF DETERMI NING 2
ELIGIBILITY FOR CERTIFICATION OF QUALIFICATION THAT WOULD ALL OW FOR AN 3
EXPEDITED LICENSE. 4

(F) “FEDERAL CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK INFORMATION” MEANS ANY 5
INFORMATION OBTAINED BY A MEMBER BOARD FR OM THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF 6
INVESTIGATION RELATING TO A FEDERAL CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK PERFORMED 7
BY A MEMBER BOARD UNDER PUBLIC LAW 92–544. 8

(G) “INTERSTATE COMMISSION” MEANS THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION 9
CREATED PURSUANT TO SECTION 11. 10

(H) “LICENSE” MEANS AUTHORIZATION BY A MEMBER STATE FO R A 11
PODIATRIST TO ENGAGE IN THE PRACTICE OF PODIATRIC MEDICINE, WHICH WOULD 12
BE UNLAWFUL WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION. 13

(I) “PODIATRIC MEDICAL PRACTICE ACT” MEANS LAWS AND 14
REGULATIONS GOVERNIN G THE PRACTICE OF PO DIATRIC MEDICINE WIT HIN A 15
MEMBER STATE. 16

(J) “MEMBER BOARD” MEANS A STATE AGENCY IN A MEMBER STATE THAT 17
ACTS IN THE SOVEREIG N INTEREST OF THE ST ATE BY PROTECTING TH E PUBLIC 18
THROUGH LICENSURE , REGULATION, AND EDUCATION OF POD IATRISTS AS 19
DIRECTED BY THE STATE GOVERNMENT. 20

(K) “MEMBER STATE” MEANS A STATE WHICH HAS ENACTED THE COMPACT. 21

(L) “PRACTICE OF PODIATRIC MEDICINE ” MEANS THAT CLINICAL 22
PREVENTION, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT OF HUMA N DISEASE , INJURY, OR 23
CONDITION REQUIRING A PODIATRIST TO OBTA IN AND MAINTAIN A LI CENSE IN 24
COMPLIANCE WITH THE PODIATRIC MEDICAL PRACTICE ACT OF A MEMBER STATE. 25

(M) “PODIATRIST” MEANS ANY PERSON WHO: 26

(1) IS A GRADUATE OF A PO DIATRIC MEDICAL SCHOOL ACCREDITED 27
BY THE COUNCIL OF PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION; 28

(2) PASSED PARTS I, II, AND III (PMLEXIS) OF THE NATIONAL 29
BOARD OF PODIATRIC MEDICAL EXAMINERS’ (NBPME) / AMERICAN PODIATRIC 30
MEDICAL LICENSING EXAMINATION (APMLE), OR THEIR NBPME/APMLE 31
RECOGNIZED REPLACEMENT EXAMINATIONS; 32

4 HOUSE BILL 619

(3) SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES A PODIATRIC RESIDE NCY PROGRAM 1
APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL ON PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION; 2

(4) HOLDS SPECIALTY CERTI FICATION F ROM A SPECIALTY BOAR D 3
RECOGNIZED BY THE COUNCIL ON PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION; 4

(5) POSSESSES A FULL AND UNRESTRICTED LICENSE TO ENGAGE IN 5
THE PRACTICE OF PODIATRIC MEDICINE ISSUED BY A MEMBER BOARD; 6

(6) HAS NEVER BEEN CONVIC TED, RECEIVED ADJUDICATIO N, 7
DEFERRED ADJUDICATION, COMMUNITY SUPERVISION, OR DEFERRED DISPOSITION 8
FOR ANY OFFENSE BY A COURT OF APPROPRIATE JURISDICTION; 9

(7) HAS NEVER HELD A LICE NSE AUTHORIZING THE PRACTICE OF 10
PODIATRIC MEDICINE SUBJECTED TO DISCIPLINE BY A LICENSING AG ENCY IN ANY 11
STATE, FEDERAL, OR FOREIGN JURISDICTION, EXCLUDING ANY ACTION RELATED TO 12
THE NON–PAYMENT OF FEES RELATED TO A LICENSE; 13

(8) HAS NEVER HAD A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE LICENSE OR PERMIT 14
SUSPENDED OR REVOKED BY A STATE OR THE UNITED STATES DRUG 15
ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION OR VOLUNTARILY SURRENDERED SUCH LICENSE 16
AFTER NOTIFICATION OF INVESTIGATION; AND 17

(9) IS NOT UNDER ACTIVE I NVESTIGATION BY A LI CENSING AGENCY 18
OR LAW ENFORCEMENT A UTHORITY IN ANY STAT E, FEDERAL OR FOREIGN 19
JURISDICTION. 20

(N) “OFFENSE” MEANS A FELONY , GROSS MISDEMEANOR , OR A 21
MISDEMEANOR RELATED TO THE PRACTICE OF PODIATRY. 22

(O) “RULE” MEANS A WRITTEN STAT EMENT BY THE INTERSTATE 23
COMMISSION PROMULGATED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE COMPACT THAT IS 24
OF GENERAL APPLICABILITY, IMPLEMENTS, INTERPRETS, OR PRESCRIBES A POLICY 25
OR PROVISION OF THE COMPACT, OR AN ORGANIZATIONAL , PROCEDURAL, OR 26
PRACTICE REQUIREMENT OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION, AND HAS THE FORCE 27
AND EFFECT OF STATUT ORY LAW IN A MEMBER STATE, AND INCLUDES THE 28
AMENDMENT, REPEAL, OR SUSPENSION OF AN EXISTING RULE. 29

(P) “STATE” MEANS ANY STATE , COMMONWEALTH, DISTRICT, OR 30
TERRITORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 31

(Q) “STATE OF PRINCIPAL LICENSE” MEANS A MEMBER STATE WHERE A 32
PODIATRIST HOLDS A L ICENSE TO PRACTICE P ODIATRIC MEDICINE AND THAT HAS 33
HOUSE BILL 619 5

BEEN DESIGNATED BY SUCH A P ODIATRIST FOR PURPOSES OF REGISTRATION AND 1
PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPACT. 2

SECTION 3. ELIGIBILITY 3

(A) A PODIATRIST MUST MEET THE ELIGIBILITY REQU IREMENTS AS 4
DEFINED IN SECTION 2(M) TO RECEIVE AN EXPEDI TED LICENSURE UNDER THE 5
TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THE COMPACT. 6

(B) A PODIATRIST WHO DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 7
2(M) MAY OBTAIN A LICENSE TO PRACTICE PODIATRI C MEDICINE IN A MEMB ER 8
STATE IF THE INDIVIDUAL COMPLIES WITH ALL LAWS AND REQUIREMENTS, OTHER 9
THAN THE COMPACT, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF A LICENSE TO PRAC TICE 10
PODIATRIC MEDICINE IN THAT STATE. 11

SECTION 4. DESIGNATION OF STATE OF PRINCIPAL LICENSE 12

(A) A PODIATRIST SHALL DES IGNATE A MEMBER STAT E AS THE STATE OF 13
PRINCIPAL LICENSE FOR PURPOSES OF REGISTRATION FOR EXPEDITED LICENSURE 14
THROUGH THE COMPACT IF THE PODIAT RIST POSSESSES A FUL L AND 15
UNRESTRICTED LICENSE TO PRACTICE PODIATRIC MEDICINE IN THAT S TATE, AND 16
THE STATE IS: 17

(1) THE STATE OF PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE FOR THE PODIATRIST; 18

(2) THE STATE WHERE AT LE AST 25% OF THE PRACTICE OF 19
PODIATRIC MEDICINE OCCURS; 20

(3) THE LOCATION OF THE PODIATRIST’S EMPLOYER; OR 21

(4) IF NO STATE QUALIFIES UNDER SUBSECTION (1), SUBSECTION (2), 22
OR SUBSECTION (3), THE STATE DESIGNATED AS STATE OF RESIDENC E FOR 23
PURPOSE OF FEDERAL INCOME TAX. 24

(B) A PODIATRIST MAY REDES IGNATE A MEMBER STAT E AS STATE OF 25
PRINCIPAL LICENSE AT ANY TIME , AS LONG AS THE STATE MEETS THE 26
REQUIREMENTS OF SUBSECTION (A). 27

(C) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION IS AUTHORIZED TO DEVELOP RULES TO 28
FACILITATE REDESIGNATION OF ANO THER MEMBER STATE AS THE STATE OF 29
PRINCIPAL LICENSE. 30

SECTION 5. APPLICATION AND ISSUANCE OF EXPEDITED 31
6 HOUSE BILL 619

LICENSURE 1

(A) A PODIATRIST SEEKING L ICENSURE THROUGH THE COMPACT SHALL 2
FILE AN APPLICATION FOR AN EXPEDITED LIC ENSE WITH THE MEMBE R BOARD OF 3
THE STATE SELECTED BY THE PODIATRIST AS THE STATE OF PRINCIPAL LICENSE. 4

(B) UPON RECEIPT OF AN AP PLICATION FOR AN EXPEDITED LICENSE, THE 5
MEMBER BOARD WITHIN THE STATE SELECTED A S THE STATE OF PRINC IPAL 6
LICENSE SHALL EVALUATE WHETHER THE PODIATRIST IS ELIGIBLE FOR EXPEDITED 7
LICENSURE AND ISSUE A LETTER OF QUALIFICATION, VERIFYING OR DENYING THE 8
PODIATRIST’S ELIGIBILITY TO, AND IN THE MANNER ESTABLISHED THROUGH RULE 9
BY, THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION. 10

(1) STATIC QUALIFICATION , WHICH INCLUDES VERIF ICATION OF 11
PODIATRIC MEDICAL ED UCATION, PODIATRIC GRADUATE M EDICAL EDUCATION , 12
RESULTS OF ANY PODIA TRIC MEDICAL LICENSI NG EXAMINATION , AND OTHER 13
QUALIFICATIONS AS DE TERMINED BY THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION THROUGH 14
RULE, MAY NOT BE SUBJECT T O ADDITIONAL PRIMARY SOURCE VERIFICATION 15
WHERE THE PRIMARY SOURCE WAS ALREADY VERIFIED BY THE STATE OF PRINCIPAL 16
LICENSE. 17

(2) THE MEMBER BOARD WITHIN THE STATE SELECTED AS THE STATE 18
OF PRINCIPAL LICENSE SHALL, IN THE COURSE OF VER IFYING ELIGIBILITY , 19
PERFORM A CRIMINAL B ACKGROUND CHECK OF AN AP PLICANT, INCLUDING THE 20
USE OF RESULTS OF FINGERPRINT OR OTHER BIOMETRIC DATA CHECKS COMPLIANT 21
WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION WITH THE 22
EXCEPTION OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE A SUITABILITY DETERMINATION IN 23
ACCORDANCE WITH 5 C.F.R. § 731.202. 24

(I) COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A MEMBER BOARD AND T HE 25
INTERSTATE COMMISSION AND COMMUN ICATION BETWEEN MEMB ER BOARDS 26
REGARDING THE VERIFI CATION OF ELIGIBILIT Y IN SECTION (3) THROUGH THE 27
COMPACT MAY NOT INCLU DE ANY INFORMATI ON RECEIVED FROM THE FEDERAL 28
BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION RELATING TO A FEDERAL CRIMI NAL RECORDS CHECK 29
PERFORMED BY A MEMBE R BOARD UNDER PUBLIC LAW 92–544, INCLUDING 30
FEDERAL CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK INFORMATION. 31

(II) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION INFORMA TION 32
OBTAINED BY A MEMBER BOARD MAY NOT BE SHA RED WITH THE INTERSTATE 33
COMMISSION. 34

(3) APPEAL OF THE DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY SHALL BE MADE 35
TO THE MEMBER STATE WHERE THE APPLICATIO N WAS FILED AND SHAL L BE 36
HOUSE BILL 619 7

SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF THAT STATE. 1

(C) UPON VERIFICATION IN SUBSECTION (B), A PODIATRIST ELIGIBLE FOR 2
AN EXPEDITED LICENSE SHALL COMPLETE THE R EGISTRATION PROCESS 3
ESTABLISHED BY THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION TO RECEIVE A LICENSE IN A 4
MEMBER STATE SELECTE D PURSUANT TO SUBSEC TION (A), INCLUDING THE 5
PAYMENT OF ANY APPLICABLE FEES. 6

(D) AFTER RECEIVING VERIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER SUBSECTION 7
(B) AND ANY FEES UNDER S UBSECTION (C), A MEMBER BOARD SHALL ISSUE AN 8
EXPEDITED LICENSE TO THE PODIATRIST. THIS LICENSE SHALL AU THORIZE THE 9
PODIATRIST TO PRACTI CE PODI ATRIC MEDICINE IN TH E ISSUING STATE 10
CONSISTENT WITH THE PODIATRIC MEDICAL PRACTICE ACT AND ALL APPLIABLE 11
LAWS AND REGULATIONS OF THE ISSUING MEMBER BOARD AND MEMBER STATE. 12

(E) AN EXPEDITED LICENSE SHALL BE VALID FOR A PERIOD CONSISTENT 13
WITH THE LICENSURE PERIOD IN THE MEMBER STATE AND IN THE SAME MANNER AS 14
REQUIRED FOR OTHER PODIATRISTS HOLDING A FULL AND UNRESTRICTED LICENSE 15
WITHIN THE MEMBER STATE. 16

(F) AN EXPEDITED LICENSE OBTAINED THROUGH THE COMPACT SHALL BE 17
TERMINATED IF A PODI ATRIST FAILS TO MAIN TAIN A LICENSE IN TH E STATE OF 18
PRINCIPAL LICENSURE FOR A NON –DISCIPLINARY REASON , WITHOUT 19
REDESIGNATION OF A NEW STATE OF PRINCIPAL LICENSURE. 20

(G) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION IS AUTHORI ZED TO DEVELOP RULES 21
REGARDING THE APPLICATION PROCESS, INCLUDING PAYMENT OF ANY APPLICABLE 22
FEES, AND THE REPORTING OF THE ISSUANCE OF AN E XPEDITED LICENSE BY A 23
MEMBER BOARD TO THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION. 24

SECTION 6. FEES FOR EXPEDITED LICENSURE 25

(A) A MEMBER STATE ISSUING AN EXPEDITED LICENSE AUTHORIZING THE 26
PRACTICE OF PODIATRI C MEDICINE IN THAT S TATE MAY IMPOSE A FE E FOR A 27
LICENSE ISSUED OR RENEWED THROUGH THE COMPACT. 28

(B) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION IS AUTHORI ZED TO DEVELOP RULES 29
REGARDING FEES FOR EXPEDITED LICENSES. 30

SECTION 7. RENEWAL AND CONTINUED PARTICIPATION 31

(A) A PODIATRIST SEEKING TO RENEW AN EXPEDITED LICENSE GRANTED IN 32
A MEMBER STATE SHALL COMPLETE A RENEWAL P ROCESS WITH THE INTERSTATE 33
8 HOUSE BILL 619

COMMISSION IF THE PODIATRIST: 1

(1) MAINTAINS A FULL AND UNRESTRICTED LICENSE IN A STATE OF 2
PRINCIPAL LICENSE; 3

(2) HAS NOT BEEN CONVICTE D, RECEIVED ADJUDICATIO N, 4
DEFERRED ADJUDICATION, COMMUNITY SUPERVISION, OR DEFERRED DISPOSITION 5
FOR ANY OFFENSE BY A COURT OF APPROPRIATE JURISDICTION; 6

(3) HAS NOT HAD A LICENSE AUTHORIZING THE PRAC TICE OF 7
PODIATRIC MEDICINE S UBJECT TO DISCIPLINE BY A LICENSING AGENC Y IN ANY 8
STATE, FEDERAL, OR FOREIGN JURISDICT ION, OR VOLUNTARILY SURRE NDERED 9
SUCH LICENSE IN LIEU OF DISCIPLINE , EXCLUDING ANY A CTION RELATED TO 10
NON–PAYMENT OF FEES RELATED TO A LICENSE; AND 11

(4) HAS NOT HAD A CONTROL LED SUBSTANCE LICENS E OR PERMIT 12
SUSPENDED OR REVOKED BY A STATE OR THE UNITED STATES DRUG 13
ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION OR VOLUNTARILY SURRENDERED SUCH LICENSE 14
OR PERMIT AFTER NOTIFICATION OF INVESTIGATION. 15

(B) PODIATRISTS SHALL COM PLY WITH ALL CONTINU ING PROFESSIONAL 16
DEVELOPMENT OR CONTI NUING MEDICAL EDUCAT ION REQUIREMENTS FOR 17
RENEWAL OF A LICENSE ISSUED BY A MEMBER STATE. 18

(C) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION SHALL COLL ECT ANY RENEWAL FEES 19
CHARGED FOR THE RENE WAL OF A LICENSE AND DISTRIBUTE THE FEES TO THE 20
APPLICABLE MEMBER BOARD. 21

(D) UPON RECEIPT OF ANY RENEWAL FEES COLLECTED IN SUBSECTION (C), 22
A MEMBER BOARD SHALL RENEW THE PODIATRIST’S LICENSE. 23

(E) PODIATRIST INFORMATION COLLECTE D BY THE INTERSTATE 24
COMMISSION DURING THE RENEWAL PROCESS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO AL L 25
MEMBER BOARDS. 26

(F) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION IS AUTHORIZED TO DEVELOP RULES TO 27
ADDRESS RENEWAL OF LICENSES OBTAINED THROUGH THE COMPACT. 28

SECTION 8. COORDINATED INFORMATION SYSTEM 29

(A) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION SHALL ESTABLISH A DATABASE OF ALL 30
PODIATRISTS LICENSED, OR WHO HAVE APPLIED FOR LICENSURE, UNDER SECTION 31
5. 32
HOUSE BILL 619 9

(B) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, MEMBER BOARDS 1
SHALL REPORT TO THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION ANY PUBLIC ACTION OR PUBLIC 2
COMPLAINTS AGAINST A LICENSED PODIATRIST WHO HAS APPLIED OR RECEIVED AN 3
EXPEDITED LICENSE THROUGH THE COMPACT. 4

(C) MEMBER BOARDS SHALL R EPORT DISCIPLINARY O R INVESTIGATORY 5
INFORMATION DETERMIN ED AS NECESS ARY AND PROPER BY RU LE OF THE 6
INTERSTATE COMMISSION. 7

(D) MEMBER BOARDS MAY REP ORT ANY NON –PUBLIC COMPLAINT , 8
DISCIPLINARY, OR INVESTIGATORY INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION 9
(C) TO THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION. 10

(E) MEMBER BOARDS SHALL S HARE COMPLAINT OR DISCIPLINARY 11
INFORMATION ABOUT A PODIATRIST UPON REQUEST OF ANOTHER MEMBER BOARD. 12

(F) ALL INFORMATION PROVI DED TO THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION OR 13
DISTRIBUTED BY MEMBER BOARDS SHALL BE CO NFIDENTIAL, FILED UNDER SEAL, 14
AND USED ONLY FOR INVESTIGATORY OR DISCIPLINARY MATTERS. 15

(G) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION IS AUTHORI ZED TO DEVELOP RULES 16
FOR MANDATED OR DISC RETIONARY SHARING OF INFORMATION BY MEMBE R 17
BOARDS. 18

SECTION 9. JOINT INVESTIGATIONS 19

(A) LICENSURE AND DISCIPL INARY RECORDS OF POD IATRISTS ARE 20
DEEMED INVESTIGATIVE. 21

(B) IN ADDITION TO THE AUTHORITY GRANTED TO A MEMBER BOARD BY ITS 22
RESPECTIVE PODIATRIC MEDICAL PRACTICE ACT OR OTHER APPLICAB LE STATE 23
LAW, A MEMBER BOARD MAY PARTICIPATE WITH OTHER MEMBER BOARDS IN JOINT 24
INVESTIGATIONS OF PODIATRISTS LICENSED BY THE MEMBER BOARDS. 25

(C) A SUBPOENA ISSUED BY A MEMBER STATE AS PART OF A JOINT 26
INVESTIGATION SHALL BE ENFORCEABLE IN OTHER MEMBER STATES. 27

(D) MEMBER BOARDS MAY SHA RE ANY INVESTIGATIVE , LITIGATION, OR 28
COMPLIANCE MATERIALS IN FURTHERANCE OF AN Y JOINT OR INDIVIDUA L 29
INVESTIGATION INITIATED UNDER THE COMPACT. 30

(E) ANY MEMBER STATE MAY INVESTIGATE ACTUAL O R ALLEGED 31
10 HOUSE BILL 619

VIOLATIONS OF THE ST ATUTES AUTHORIZING T HE PRACTICE OF PODIA TRIC 1
MEDICINE IN ANY OTHER MEMBER STATE IN WHICH A PODIATRIST HOLDS A LICENSE 2
TO PRACTICE PODIATRIC MEDICINE. 3

SECTION 10. DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS 4

(A) ANY DISCIPLINARY ACTION TAKEN BY ANY MEMB ER BOARD AGAINST A 5
PODIATRIST LICENSED THROUGH THE COMPACT SHALL BE DEEM ED 6
UNPROFESSIONAL CONDU CT WHICH MAY BE SUBJ ECT TO DISCIPLINE BY OTHER 7
MEMBER BOARDS, IN ADDITION TO ANY V IOLATION OF THE PODIATRIC MEDICAL 8
PRACTICE ACT OR REGULATIONS IN THAT STATE. 9

(B) IF A LICENSE GRANTED TO A PODIATRIST BY A MEMBER BOARD IN THE 10
STATE OF PRINCIPAL L ICENSE IS REVOKED , SURRENDERED OR RELIN QUISHED IN 11
LIEU OF DISCIPLINE , OR SUSPENDED , THEN ALL LICENSES IS SUED TO THE 12
PODIATRIST BY MEMBER BOARDS SHALL AUTOMAT ICALLY BE PLACED , WITHOUT 13
FURTHER ACTION NECES SARY BY ANY MEMBER B OARD, ON THE SAME STATUS . IF 14
THE MEMBER BOARD OF THE STATE OF PRINCIP AL LICENSE SUBSE QUENTLY 15
REINSTATES THE PODIATRIST’S LICENSE, A LICENSE ISSUED TO THE PODIATRIST BY 16
ANY OTHER MEMBER BOARD SHALL REMAIN ENCUMBERED UNTIL THAT RESPECTIVE 17
MEMBER BOARD TAKES A CTION TO REINSTATE T HE LICENSE IN A MANN ER 18
CONSISTENT WITH THE PODIATRIC MEDICAL PRACTICE ACT OF THAT STATE. 19

(C) IF DISCIPLINARY ACTIO N IS TAKEN AGAINST A PODIATRIST BY A 20
MEMBER BOARD NOT IN A STATE OF PRINCIPAL LICENSE, ANY OTHER MEMBER 21
BOARD MAY DEEM THE A CTION CONCLUSIVE AS TO MATTER OF LAW AND FACT 22
DECIDED, AND: 23

(1) IMPOSE THE SA ME OR LESSER SANCTIO N AGAINST THE 24
PODIATRIST SO LONG AS SUCH SANCTIONS ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE PODIATRIC 25
MEDICAL PRACTICE ACT OF THAT STATE; OR 26

(2) PURSUE SEPARATE DISCI PLINARY ACTION AGAIN ST THE 27
PODIATRIST UNDER ITS RESPECTIVE PODIATRIC MEDICAL PRACTICE ACT, 28
REGARDLESS OF THE ACTION TAKEN IN OTHER MEMBER STATES. 29

(D) IF A LICENSE GRANTED TO A PODIATRIST BY A MEMBER BOARD IS 30
REVOKED, SURRENDERED OR RELIN QUISHED IN LIEU OF D ISCIPLINE, OR 31
SUSPENDED, THEN ANY LICENSE ISSUED TO A PODIATRIST BY ANY OTHER MEMBER 32
BOARD SHALL BE SUSPE NDED, AUTOMATICALLY AND IM MEDIATELY WITHOUT 33
FURTHER ACTION NECES SARY BY THE OTHER ME MBER BOARD, FOR NINETY DAYS 34
UPON ENTRY OF THE ORDER BY THE DISCIPLINING BOARD, TO PERMIT THE MEMBER 35
BOARD TO INVESTIGATE THE BASIS FOR THE AC TION UN DER THE PODIATRIC 36
HOUSE BILL 619 11

MEDICAL PRACTICE ACT OF THAT STATE. 1

(E) A MEMBER BOARD MAY TERMINATE THE AUTOMATIC PROVISION UNDER 2
SUBSECTION (B) OR (D) OF A LICENSE IT ISSU ED, IN A MANNER CONSISTE NT WITH 3
THE PODIATRIC MEDICAL PRACTICE ACT OF THAT STATE. 4

SECTION 11. INTERSTATE PODIATRIC MEDICAL LICENSURE 5
COMPACT COMMISSION 6

(A) THE MEMBER STATES HER EBY CREATE THE “INTERSTATE PODIATRIC 7
MEDICAL LICENSURE COMPACT COMMISSION”. 8

(B) THE PURPOSE OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION IS THE 9
ADMINISTRATION OF TH E INTERSTATE PODIATRIC MEDICAL LICENSURE 10
COMPACT, WHICH IS A DISCRETIONARY STATE FUNCTION. 11

(C) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION SHALL BE A BODY CORPORATE AND 12
JOINT AGENCY OF THE MEMBER STATES AND SH ALL HAVE ALL THE 13
RESPONSIBILITIES, POWERS, AND DUTIES SET FORTH IN THE COMPACT, AND SUCH 14
ADDITIONAL POWERS AS MAY BE CONFERRED UPO N IT BY A SUBSEQUENT 15
CONCURRENT ACTION OF THE RESPECTIVE LEGISLATURES OF THE MEMBER STATES 16
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE COMPACT. 17

(D) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION SHALL CONS IST OF ONE VOTING 18
REPRESENTATIVE APPOINTED B Y EACH MEMBER STATE WHO SHALL SERVE AS A 19
COMMISSIONER. A COMMISSIONER SHALL BE: 20

(1) A PODIATRIST APPOINTED TO A MEMBER BOARD; 21

(2) AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR , EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, OR SIMILAR 22
EXECUTIVE OF A MEMBER BOARD; OR 23

(3) A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC APPOINTED TO A MEMBER BOARD. 24

(E) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION SHALL MEET AT LEAST ONCE EACH 25
CALENDAR YEAR. A PORTION OF THIS MEETING SHALL BE A BUSINESS MEETING TO 26
ADDRESS SUCH MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION, 27
INCLUDING T HE ELECTION OF OFFIC ERS. THE CHAIRPERSON MAY C ALL 28
ADDITIONAL MEETINGS AND SHALL CALL FOR A MEETING UPON THE REQUEST OF A 29
MAJORITY OF THE MEMBER STATES. 30

(F) THE BYLAWS MAY PROVID E FOR MEETINGS OF TH E INTERSTATE 31
COMMISSION TO BE COND UCTED, IN WHOLE OR IN P ART, VIA TELECONFERENCE, 32
12 HOUSE BILL 619

VIDEO CONFERENCE, OR OTHER ELECTRONIC MEANS BY WHICH ALL PARTICIPANTS 1
CAN HEAR EACH OTHER SIMULTANEOUSLY AND P ARTICIPATE EFFECTIVE LY. 2
ATTENDANCE BY SUCH EL ECTRONIC MEANS SHALL CONSTITUTE PRESENCE IN 3
PERSON AT THE MEETING. 4

(G) EACH COMMISSIONER PARTICIP ATING AT A MEETING O F THE 5
INTERSTATE COMMISSION IS ENTITLE D TO ONE VOTE . A MAJORITY OF 6
COMMISSIONERS SHALL C ONSTITUTE A QUORUM F OR THE TRANSACTION O F 7
BUSINESS, UNLESS A LARGER QUOR UM IS REQUIRED BY TH E BYLAWS OF THE 8
INTERSTATE COMMISSION. A COMMISSIONER MAY NOT DELEGATE A VOTE TO 9
ANOTHER COMMISSIONER. IN THE ABSENCE OF ITS COMMISSIONER, A MEMBER 10
STATE MAY DELEGATE VOTING AUTHORITY FOR A SPECIFIED MEETING TO ANOTHER 11
PERSON FROM THAT STATE WHO SHALL MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUBSECTION 12
(D). 13

(H) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION SHALL PROVIDE PUBLIC NOTICE OF ALL 14
MEETINGS AND ALL MEE TINGS SHALL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. THE INTERSTATE 15
COMMISSION MAY CLOSE A MEETING , IN FULL OR IN PORTIO N, WHERE IT 16
DETERMINES BY A TWO–THIRDS VOTE OF THE COMMISSIONERS PRESENT THAT ANY 17
OPEN MEETING WOULD BE LIKELY TO: 18

(1) RELATE SOLELY TO THE INTERNAL PERSONNEL P RACTICE AND 19
PROCEDURES OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION; 20

(2) DISCUSS MATTERS SPECIFICALLY EXEMPTED FROM DISCLOSURE 21
BY FEDERAL STATUTE; 22

(3) DISCUSS TRADE S ECRETS, COMMERCIAL, OR FINANCIAL 23
INFORMATION THAT IS PRIVILEGED OR CONFIDENTIAL; 24

(4) INVOLVE ACCUSING A PE RSON OF A CRIME , OR FORMALLY 25
CENSURING A PERSON; 26

(5) DISCUSS INFORMATION O F A PERSONAL NATURE WHERE 27
DISCLOSURE WOULD CON STITUTE A CLEARLY UNWARRANTED INVASION OF 28
PERSONAL PRIVACY; 29

(6) DISCUSS INVESTIGATIVE RECORDS COMPILED FOR LAW 30
ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES; OR 31

(7) SPECIFICALLY RELATE TO THE PARTICIPATION IN A CIVIL ACTION 32
OR OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDING. 33

HOUSE BILL 619 13

(I) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION SHALL KEEP MINUTES WHICH SHALL 1
FULLY DESCRIBE ALL M ATTERS DISCUSSED IN A MEETING AND SHALL PROVIDE A 2
FULL AND ACCURATE SUMMARY OF ACTIONS TAKEN, INCLUDING A RECORD OF ANY 3
ROLL CALL VOTES. 4

(J) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION SHALL MAKE ITS INFORMATION AND 5
OFFICIAL RECORD S, TO THE EXTENT NOT OT HERWISE DESIGNATED I N THE 6
COMPACT OR BY ITS RULES, AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC FOR INSPECTION. 7

(K) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION SHALL ESTA BLISH AN EXECUTIVE 8
COMMITTEE, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE OFFICERS, MEMBERS, AND OTHERS AS 9
DETERMINED BY THE BYLAWS. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITT EE SHALL HAVE THE 10
POWER TO ACT ON BEHA LF OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION, WITH THE 11
EXCEPTION OF RULEMAK ING, DURING PERIODS WHEN THE INTERSTATE 12
COMMISSION IS NOT IN SESSION. WHEN ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE INTERSTATE 13
COMMISSION, THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL OVERSEE THE ADMINISTRATION 14
OF THE COMPACT INCLUDING ENF ORCEMENT AND COMPLIA NCE WITH THE 15
PROVISIONS OF THE COMPACT, ITS BYLAWS AND RULES, AND OTHER SUCH DUTIES 16
AS NECESSARY. 17

(L) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION SHALL ESTABLISH OTHER COMMITTEES 18
FOR GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE COMPACT. 19

SECTION 12. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE INTERSTATE 20
COMMISSION 21

THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION ARE TO: 22

(A) OVERSEE AND MAINTAIN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE COMPACT; 23

(B) PROMULGATE RULES WHICH SHALL BE BINDING TO THE EXTENT AND IN 24
THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR IN THE COMPACT; 25

(C) ISSUE, UPON THE REQUEST OF A MEMBER STATE OR ME MBER BOARD, 26
ADVISORY OPINIONS CO NCERNING THE MEETING OR INTERPRETATION OF THE 27
COMPACT, ITS BYLAWS, RULES, AND ACTIONS; 28

(D) ENFORCE COMPLIANCE WI TH COMPACT PROVISIONS , THE RULES 29
PROMULGATED BY THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION, AND THE BYLAWS , USING ALL 30
NECESSARY AND PROPER MEANS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LI MITED TO THE USE OF 31
JUDICIAL PROCESS; 32

(E) ESTABLISH AND APPOINT COMMITTEES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED 33
14 HOUSE BILL 619

TO, AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 11, WHICH SHALL HAVE 1
THE POWER TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION IN CARRYIN G 2
OUT ITS POWERS AND DUTIES; 3

(F) PAY, OR PROVIDE FOR THE P AYMENT OF THE EXPENS ES RELATED TO 4
THE ESTABLISHMENT , ORGANIZATION, AND ONGOING ACTIVITI ES OF THE 5
INTERSTATE COMMISSION; 6

(G) ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN ONE OR MORE OFFICES; 7

(H) BORROW, ACCEPT, HIRE, OR CONTRACT FOR SERVICES OF PERSONNEL; 8

(I) PURCHASE AND MAINTAIN INSURANCE AND BONDS; 9

(J) EMPLOY AN EXECUTIVE D IRECTOR WHO SHALL HA VE THE POWER TO 10
EMPLOY, SELECT, OR APPOINT EMPLOYEES , AGENTS, AND CONSULTANTS, AND TO 11
DETERMINE THEIR QUAL IFICATIONS, DEFINE THEIR DUTIES , AND FIX THEIR 12
COMPENSATION; 13

(K) ESTABLISH PERSONNEL P OLICIES AND PROGRAMS RELAT ING TO 14
CONFLICTS OF INTERES T, RATES OF COMPENSATIO N, AND QUALIFICATION OF 15
PERSONNEL; 16

(L) ACCEPT DONATIONS AND GRANTS OF MONEY , EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, 17
MATERIALS, AND SERVICES AND TO RECEIVE, UTILIZE, AND DISPOSE OF IT IN A 18
MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICIES ESTABLISHED BY 19
THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION; 20

(M) LEASE, PURCHASE, ACCEPT CONTRIBUTIONS OR DONATIONS OF , OR 21
OTHERWISE TO OWN, HOLD, IMPROVE, OR USE ANY PROPERTY, REAL, PERSONAL, OR 22
MIXED; 23

(N) SELL, CONVEY, MORTGAGE, PLEDGE, LEASE, EXCHANGE, ABANDON, OR 24
OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF ANY PROPERTY, REAL, PERSONAL, OR MIXED; 25

(O) ESTABLISH A BUDGET AND MAKE EXPENDITURES; 26

(P) ADOPT A SEAL AND BYLA WS GOVERNING THE MAN AGEMENT AND 27
OPERATION OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION; 28

(Q) REPORT ANNUALLY TO THE LEGISLATURES AND GOV ERNORS OF THE 29
MEMBER STATES CONCERNING THE ACTIVITIES OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION 30
DURING THE PRECEDING YEAR. SUCH REPORTS SHALL ALSO INCLUDE REPORTS OF 31
HOUSE BILL 619 15

FINANCIAL AUDITS , AND FINANCIAL STATEM ENTS, AND ANY RECOMMENDA TIONS 1
THAT MAY HAVE BEEN ADOPTED BY THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION; 2

(R) COORDINATE EDUCATION , TRAINING, AND PUBLIC AWARENESS 3
REGARDING THE COMPACT, ITS IMPLEMENTATION, AND ITS OPERATION; 4

(S) MAINTAIN RECORDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BYLAWS; 5

(T) SEEK AND OBTAIN TRADEMARKS, COPYRIGHTS, AND PATENTS; AND 6

(U) PERFORM SUCH FUNCTIONS AS MAY BE NECESSAR Y OR APPROPRIATE 7
TO ACHIEVE THE PURPOSE OF THE COMPACT. 8

SECTION 13. FINANCE POWERS 9

(A) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION MAY LEVY ON AND COLLECT AN ANNUAL 10
ASSESSMENT FROM EACH MEMBER STATE TO COVER THE COST OF THE OPERATIONS 11
AND ACTIVITIES OF TH E INTERSTATE COMMISSION AND ITS ST AFF. THE TOTAL 12
ASSESSMENT MUST BE S UFFICIENT TO COVER T HE ANNUAL BUDGET APP ROVED 13
EACH YEAR FOR WHICH REVENUE IS NOT PROVI DED BY OTHER SOURCES . THE 14
AGGREGATE ANNUAL ASS ESSMENT AMOUNT SHALL BE ALLOCATED UPON A 15
FORMULA TO BE DETERM INED BY THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION, WHICH SHALL 16
PROMULGATE A RULE BINDING UPON ALL MEMBER STATES. 17

(B) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION MAY NOT IN CUR OBLIGATIONS OF A NY 18
KIND PRIOR TO SECURING THE FUNDS ADEQUATE TO MEET THE SAME. 19

(C) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION MAY NOT PL EDGE THE CREDIT OF A NY 20
OF THE MEMBER STATES, EXCEPT BY, AND WITH THE AUTHORITY OF, THE MEMBER 21
STATE. 22

(D) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION SHALL MAINTAIN FINANCIAL RECORDS 23
IN ACCORDANCE WITH T HE BYLAWS , INCLUDING PROFIT AND LOSS STATEMENTS 24
AND BALANCE SHEET REPORTS WHICH SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL REPORT 25
OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION. 26

SECTION 14. ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF THE 27
INTERSTATE COMMISSION 28

(A) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION SHALL , BY A MAJORITY OF 29
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT AND VOTING, ADOPT BYLAWS TO GOVERN ITS CONDUCT 30
AS MAY BE NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE TO CA RRY OUT THE PURPOSES OF THE 31
COMPACT WITHIN TWELVE MONTHS OF THE FIRST INTERSTATE COMMISSION 32
16 HOUSE BILL 619

MEETING. 1

(B) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION SHALL ELEC T OR APPOINT ANNUALL Y 2
FROM AMONG ITS COMMISSIONERS, A CHAIRPERSON, A VICE–CHAIRPERSON, AND A 3
TREASURER, EACH OF WHOM SHALL HAVE SUCH AUTHORITY AND DUTIES AS MAY BE 4
SPECIFIED IN THE BYL AWS. THE CHAIRPERSON , OR IN THE C HAIRPERSON’S 5
ABSENCE OR DISABILIT Y, THE VICE –CHAIRPERSON, SHALL PRESIDE AT ALL 6
MEETINGS OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION. 7

(C) OFFICERS SELECTED IN SUBSECTION (B) SHALL SERVE WITHOUT 8
REMUNERATION FOR THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION. 9

(D) THE OFFICERS AND EMPL OYEES OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION 10
SHALL BE IMMUNE FROM SUIT AND LIABILITY , EITHER PERSONALLY OR IN THEIR 11
OFFICIAL CAPACITY , FOR A CLAIM FOR DAMA GE TO OR LOSS OF PRO PERTY OR 12
PERSONAL INJURY OR O THER CIVIL LIABILITY CAUSED OR ARISING OU T OF , OR 13
RELATING TO, AN ACTUAL OR ALLEGED ACT, ERROR, OR OMISSION THAT OCCURRED, 14
OR THAT SUCH PERSON HAD A REASONABLE BAS IS FOR BELIEVING OCC URRED, 15
WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION EMPLOYMENT, DUTIES, OR 16
RESPONSIBILITIES; PROVIDED THAT SUCH PERSON MAY NOT BE PROTECTED FROM 17
SUIT OR LIABILITY FO R DAMAGE , LOSS, INJURY, OR LIABILITY CAUSED BY THE 18
INTENTIONAL OR WILLFUL AND WANTON MISCONDUCT OF SUCH PERSON. 19

(E) THE LIABILITY OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND EMPLOYEES OF THE 20
INTERSTATE COMMISSION OR REPRESE NTATIVES OF THE INTERSTATE 21
COMMISSION, ACTING WITHIN THE SC OPE OF SUCH PERSON ’S EMPLOYMENT OR 22
DUTIES FOR ACTS , ERRORS, OR OMISSIONS OCCURRI NG WITHIN SUCH PERSO N’S 23
STATE, MAY NOT EXCEED THE L IMITS OF LIABILITY S ET FORTH UNDER THE 24
CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THAT STATE FOR STATE OFFICIALS, EMPLOYEES, AND 25
AGENTS. THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION IS CONSIDE RED TO BE AN 26
INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE STATES FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUCH ACTION. NOTHING 27
IN THIS SUBSECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO PROTECT SUCH PERSON FROM SUIT 28
OR LIABILITY FOR DAM AGE, LOSS, INJURY, OR LIABILITY CAUSED BY THE 29
INTENTIONAL OR WILLFUL AND WANTON MISCONDUCT OF SUCH PERSON. 30

(F) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION SHALL DEFE ND THE EXECUTIVE 31
DIRECTOR, ITS EMPLOYEES, AND SUBJECT TO THE A PPROVAL OF THE ATTOR NEY 32
GENERAL OR OTHER APP ROPRIATE L EGAL COUNSEL OF THE MEMBER STATE 33
REPRESENTED BY THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION REPRESENTA TIVE, SHALL 34
DEFEND SUCH INTERSTATE COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE IN ANY CIVIL AC TION 35
SEEKING TO IMPOSE LI ABILITY ARISING OUT OF AN ACTUAL OR ALLE GED ACT , 36
ERROR OR OMISSION TH AT OCCURRED WITHIN THE SCOPE OF INTERSTATE 37
COMMISSION EMPLOYMENT , DUTIES OR RESPONSIBI LITIES, OR THAT THE 38
HOUSE BILL 619 17

DEFENDANT HAD A REAS ONABLE BASIS FOR BEL IEVING OCCURRED WITH IN THE 1
SCOPE OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION EMPLOYMENT , DUTIES, OR 2
RESPONSIBILITIES, PROVIDED THAT THE ACTUAL OR A LLEGED ACT , ERROR, OR 3
OMISSION DID NOT RES ULT FROM INTENTIONAL OR WILLFUL AND WANTO N 4
MISCONDUCT ON THE PART OF SUCH PERSON. 5

(G) TO THE EXTENT NOT COV ERED BY THE STATE IN VOLVED, MEMBER 6
STATE, OR THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION, THE REPRESENTATIVES OR EMPLOYEES 7
OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION SHALL BE HELD HARMLESS IN THE AMOUNT OF A 8
SETTLEMENT OR JUDGEMENT, INCLUDING ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS, OBTAINED 9
AGAINST SUCH PERSONS ARISING OUT OF AN ACTUAL OR ALLEGED ACT, ERROR, OR 10
OMISSION THAT OCCURRED WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION 11
EMPLOYMENT, DUTIES, OR RESPONSIBILITIES , OR THAT SUCH PERSONS HAD A 12
REASONABLE BASIS FOR BELIEVING OCCURRED WITHIN THE SCOPE OF INTERSTATE 13
COMMISSION EMPLOYMENT, DUTIES, OR RESPONSIBILITIES, PROVIDED THAT THE 14
ACTUAL OR ALLEGED AC T, ERROR, OR OMISSION DID NOT RESULT FROM 15
INTENTIONAL OR WILLF UL AND WANTON MISCON DUCT ON THE PART OF SUCH 16
PERSON. 17

SECTION 15. RULEMAKING FUNCTIONS OF THE INTERSTATE 18
COMMISSION 19

(A) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION SHALL PROMULGATE RULES IN ORDER 20
TO EFFECTIVELY AND E FFICIENTLY ACHIEVE T HE PURPOSE OF THE COMPACT. 21
NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, IN THE EVENT THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION 22
EXERCISES ITS RULEMAKING AUTHORITY IN A MANNER THAT IS BEYOND THE SCOPE 23
OF THE PURPOSES OF THE COMPACT, OR THE POWERS GRANTED HEREUNDER, THEN 24
SUCH AN ACTION BY TH E INTERSTATE COMMISSION SHALL BE I NVALID AND HAVE 25
NO FORCE OR EFFECT. 26

(B) RULES DEEMED APPROPRI ATE FOR THE OPERATIO NS OF THE 27
INTERSTATE COMMISSION SHALL BE M ADE PURSUANT TO THE RULEMAKING 28
PROCESS THAT SUB STANTIALLY CONFORMS TO THE “MODEL STATE 29
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT” OF 2010, AND SUBSEQUENT AMEND MENTS 30
THERETO. 31

(C) NOT LATER THAN THIRTY DAYS AFTER A RULE IS PROMULGATED, ANY 32
PERSON MAY FILE A PETITION FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THE RULE IN THE UNITED 33
STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OR THE FEDER AL 34
DISTRICT WHERE THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION HAS ITS PR INCIPAL OFFICES , 35
PROVIDED THAT THE FI LING OF SUCH A PETIT ION MAY NOT STAY OR OTHERWISE 36
PREVENT THE RULE FROM BECOMING EFFECTIVE UNLESS THE COURT FINDS THAT 37
THE PETITIONER HAS A SUBSTANTIAL LIKELIHOOD OF SUCCESS. THE COURT SHALL 38
18 HOUSE BILL 619

GIVE DEFERENCE TO THE ACTIONS OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION CONSISTENT 1
WITH APPLICABLE LAW AND MAY NOT FIND THE RULE TO BE UNLAWFUL IF THE RULE 2
REPRESENTS A REASONA BLE EXE RCISE OF THE AUTHORI TY GRANTED TO THE 3
INTERSTATE COMMISSION. 4

SECTION 16. OVERSIGHT OF INTERSTATE COMPACT 5

(A) THE EXECUTIVE , LEGISLATIVE, AND JUDICIAL BRANCHE S OF STATE 6
GOVERNMENT IN EACH MEMBER STATE SHALL ENFORCE THE COMPACT AND SHALL 7
TAKE ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY AND APPROP RIATE TO EFFECTUATE THE 8
COMPACT’S PURPOSES AND INTEN T. THE PROVISIONS OF THE COMPACT AND THE 9
RULES PROMULGATED HE REUNDER SHALL HAVE S TANDING AS STATUTORY LAW 10
BUT MAY NOT OVERRIDE EXISTING STATE AUTHORITY TO REGULATE THE PRACTICE 11
OF PODIATRIC MEDICINE. 12

(B) ALL COURTS SHALL TAKE JUDICIAL NOTICE OF THE COMPACT AND THE 13
RULES IN ANY JUDICIA L OR ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING IN A MEMB ER STATE 14
PERTAINING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THE COMPACT WHICH MAY AFFECT THE 15
POWERS, RESPONSIBILITIES OR ACTIONS OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION. 16

(C) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION SHALL BE E NTITLED TO RECEIVE A LL 17
SERVICES OF PROCESS IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING, AND SHALL HAVE STANDING TO 18
INTERVENE IN THE PRO CEEDING FOR ALL PURP OSES. FAILURE TO PROVIDE 19
SERVICE OF PROCESS T O T HE INTERSTATE COMMISSION SHALL REND ER 20
JUDGEMENT OR ORDER VOID AS TO THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION, THE COMPACT, 21
OR PROMULGATED RULES. 22

SECTION 17. ENFORCEMENT OF INTERSTATE COMPACT 23

(A) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION, IN THE REASONABLE EXERCISE OF ITS 24
DISCRETION, SHALL ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS AND RULES OF THE COMPACT. 25

(B) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION MAY , BY MAJORITY VOTE OF THE 26
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT AND VOTING, INITIATE LEGAL ACTIO N IN THE UNITED 27
STATES COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, OR, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE 28
INTERSTATE COMMISSION, IN THE FEDERAL DISTR ICT WHERE THE INTERSTATE 29
COMMISSION HAS ITS PR INCIPAL OFFICES, TO ENFORCE COMPLIANC E WITH THE 30
PROVISIONS OF THE COMPACT, AND ITS PROMULGATED RULES AND BYLAWS , 31
AGAINST A MEMBER STATE IN DEFAULT. THE RELIEF SOUGHT MAY INCLUDE BOTH 32
INJUNCTIVE RELIEF AN D DAMAGES . IN THE EVENT JUDICIAL ENFORCEMENT IS 33
NECESSARY, THE PREVAILING PARTY SHALL BE AWARDED ALL COSTS OF SUCH 34
LITIGATION INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEY’S FEES. 35

HOUSE BILL 619 19

(C) THE REMEDIES HEREIN MAY NOT BE THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES OF THE 1
INTERSTATE COMMISSION. THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION MAY AVAIL ITSELF OF 2
ANY OTHER REMEDIES A VAILABLE UNDER STATE LAW OR REGULATION OF A 3
PROFESSION. 4

SECTION 18. DEFAULT PROCEDURES 5

(A) THE GROUNDS FOR DEFAU LT INCLUDE , BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, 6
FAILURE OF A MEMBER BOARD TO PERFORM SUC H OBLIGATIONS OR 7
RESPONSIBILITIES IMP OSED UPON IT BY THE COMPACT, OR THE RULES AND 8
BYLAWS OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION PROMULGATED UNDER THE COMPACT. 9

(B) IF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION DETERMINES THAT A MEMBER STATE 10
HAS DEFAULTED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF ITS OBLIGATIONS OR RESPONSIBILITIES 11
UNDER THE COMPACT, OR THE BYLAWS OR PROMULGATED RULES, THE INTERSTATE 12
COMMISSION SHALL: 13

(1) PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTIC E TO THE DEFAULTING STATE AND 14
OTHER MEMBER STATES, OF THE NATURE OF THE DEFAULT, THE MEANS OF CURING 15
THE DEFAULT , AND ANY ACTION TAKEN BY THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION. THE 16
INTERSTATE COMMISSION SHALL SPEC IFY THE CONDITIONS B Y WHICH THE 17
DEFAULTING STATE MUST CURE ITS DEFAULT; AND 18

(2) PROVIDE REMEDIAL TRAI NING AND SPECIFIC T ECHNICAL 19
ASSISTANCE REGARDING THE DEFAULT. 20

(C) IF THE DEFAULTING STA TE FAILS TO CURE THE DEFAULT, THE 21
DEFAULTING STATE SHA LL BE TERMINATED FRO M THE COMPACT UPON AN 22
AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF THE MAJORITY OF THE COMMISSIONERS PRESENT AND 23
VOTING, AND ALL RIGHTS , PRIVILEGES, AND BENEFITS CONFERR ED BY THE 24
COMPACT SHALL TERMINATE ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF TERMINATION. A CURE 25
OF THE DEFAULT DOES NOT RELIEVE THE OFFE NDING STATE OF OBLIG ATIONS OR 26
LIABILITIES INCURRED DURING THE PERIOD OF DEFAULT. 27

(D) TERMINATION OF MEM BERSHIP IN THE COMPACT SHALL BE IMPO SED 28
ONLY AFTER ALL OTHER MEANS OF SECURING CO MPLIANCE HAVE BEEN 29
EXHAUSTED. NOTICE OF INTENT TO T ERMINATE SHALL BE GI VEN BY THE 30
INTERSTATE COMMISSION TO THE GOV ERNOR, THE MAJORITY AND MIN ORITY 31
LEADERS OF THE DEFAULTING STATE’S LEGISLATURE, AND EACH OF THE MEMBER 32
STATES. 33

(E) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION SHALL ESTA BLISH RULES AND 34
PROCEDURES TO ADDRES S LICENSES AND PODIA TRISTS THAT ARE MATE RIALLY 35
20 HOUSE BILL 619

IMPACTED BY THE TERMINATION OF A MEMBER STATE, OR THE WITHDRAWAL OF A 1
MEMBER STATE. 2

(F) THE MEMBER STATE WHIC H HAS BEEN TERMINATE D IS RESPONSIBLE 3
FOR ALL DUES , OBLIGATIONS, AND LIABILITIES INCU RRED THROUGH THE 4
EFFECTIVE DATE OF TE RMINATION INCLUDING OBLIGATIONS, THE PERFORMANCE 5
OF WHICH EXTENDS BEYOND THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF TERMINATION. 6

(G) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION MAY NOT BEAR ANY COSTS RELATING TO 7
ANY STATE THAT HAS B EEN FOUND TO BE IN D EFAULT OR WHICH HAS BEEN 8
TERMINATED FROM THE COMPACT, UNLESS OTHERWISE MUTUALLY AGREED UPON 9
IN WRITING BETWEEN THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION AND THE DEFAULTING STATE. 10

(H) THE DEFAULTING STATE MAY APPEAL THE ACTION OF THE INTERSTATE 11
COMMISSION BY PETITIO NING THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE 12
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OR THE FEDER AL DISTRICT WHERE TH E INTERSTATE 13
COMMISSION HAS ITS PR INCIPAL OFFICES . THE PREVAILING PARTY SHALL BE 14
AWARDED ALL COSTS OF LITIGATION INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEY’S FEES. 15

SECTION 19. DISPUTE RESOLUTION 16

(A) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION SHALL ATTE MPT, UPON THE REQUEST 17
OF A MEMBER STATE, TO RESOLVE DISPUTES WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO THE COMPACT 18
AND WHICH ARISE AMONG MEMBER STATES OR MEMBER BOARDS. 19

(B) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION SHALL PROM ULGATE RULES 20
PROVIDING FOR BOTH M EDIATION AND BINDING DISPUTE RESOLUTION A S 21
APPROPRIATE. 22

SECTION 20. MEMBER STATES, EFFECTIVE DATE, AND 23
AMENDMENT 24

(A) ANY STATE IS ELIGIBLE TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE COMPACT. 25

(B) THE COMPACT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE AND BINDIN G UPON 26
LEGISLATIVE ENACTMEN T OF THE COMPACT INTO LAW BY N O LESS THAN FOUR 27
STATES. THEREAFTER, IT SHALL BECOME EFFE CTIVE AND BINDING ON A STATE 28
UPON ENACTMENT OF THE COMPACT INTO LAW BY THAT STATE. 29

(C) THE GOVERNORS OF NON –MEMBER STATES , OR THEIR DESIGNEES , 30
SHALL BE WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE IN THE A CTIVITIES OF THE INTERSTATE 31
COMMISSION ON A NON –VOTING BASIS PRIOR T O ADOPTION OF THE COMPACT BY 32
ALL STATES. 33
HOUSE BILL 619 21

(D) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION MAY PROPOS E AMENDMENTS TO THE 1
COMPACT FOR ENACTMENT BY THE MEMBER STATES . NO AMENDMENT SHALL 2
BECOME EFFECTIVE AND BINDING UPON THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION AND OTHER 3
MEMBER STATES UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS ENAC TED INTO L AW BY UNANIMOUS 4
CONSENT OF THE MEMBER STATES. 5

SECTION 21. WITHDRAWAL 6

(A) ONCE EFFECTIVE , THE COMPACT SHALL CONTINU E IN FORCE AND 7
REMAIN BINDING UPON EACH AND EVERY MEMBE R STATE ; PROVIDED THAT A 8
MEMBER STATE MAY WITHDRAW FROM THE COMPACT BY SPECIFICALLY REPEALING 9
THE STATUTE WHICH ENACTED THE COMPACT INTO LAW. 10

(B) WITHDRAWAL FROM THE COMPACT SHALL BE BY THE ENACTMENT OF A 11
STATUTE REPEALING TH E SAME , BUT MAY NOT TAKE EFF ECT UNTIL ONE YEAR 12
AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF SUCH STATUTE AND UNTIL WRITTEN NOTICE OF THE 13
WITHDRAWAL HAS BEEN GIVEN BY THE WITHDRAWING STATE TO THE GOVERNOR OF 14
EACH OTHER MEMBER STATE. 15

(C) THE WITHDRAWING STATE SHALL IMMEDIATELY NO TIFY THE 16
CHAIRPERSON OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION IN WRITING UPON THE 17
INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION REPEALING THE COMPACT IN THE WITHDRAWING 18
STATE. 19

(D) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION MAY NOTIFY THE OTHER MEMBER 20
STATES OF THE WITHDRAWING STATE’S INTENT TO WITHDRAW WITHIN SIXTY DAYS 21
OF ITS RECEIPT OF NOTICE PROVIDED UNDER SUBSECTION (C). 22

(E) THE WITHDRAWING STATE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR A LL DUES , 23
OBLIGATIONS AND LIABILITIES INCURRED THROUGHOUT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF 24
WITHDRAWAL, INCLUDING OBLIGATIONS, THE PERFORMANCE OF W HICH EXTEND 25
BEYOND THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF WITHDRAWAL. 26

(F) REINSTATEMENT FOLLOWI NG WITHDRAWAL OF A MEMBER STATE 27
SHALL OCCUR UPON THE WITHDRAWING STATE RE ENACTING THE COMPACT OR 28
UPON SUCH LATER DATE AS DETERMINED BY THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION. 29

(G) THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION IS AUTHORIZED TO DEVELOP RULES TO 30
ADDRESS THE IMPACT O F THE WITHDRAWAL OF A MEMBE R STATE ON LICENSES 31
GRANTED IN OTHER MEM BER STATES TO PODIAT RISTS WHO DESIGNATED THE 32
WITHDRAWING MEMBER STATE AS THE STATE OF PRINCIPAL LICENSE. 33

22 HOUSE BILL 619

SECTION 22. DISSOLUTION 1

(A) THE COMPACT SHALL BE DISS OLVED EFFECTIVE UPON THE DATE OF 2
THE WITHDRAWAL OR DE FAULT OF THE MEMBER S TATE WHICH REDUCES T HE 3
MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMPACT TO ONE MEMBER STATE. 4

(B) UPON THE DISSOLUTION OF THE COMPACT, THE COMPACT BECOMES 5
NULL AND VOID AND SH ALL BE OF NO FURTHER FORCE OR EFFECT , AND THE 6
BUSINESS AND AFFAIRS OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION SHALL BE CONCLUDED, 7
AND SURPLUS FUNDS SHALL BE DISTRIBUTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BYLAWS. 8

SECTION 23. SEVERABILITY AND CONSTRUCTION 9

(A) THE PROVISIONS OF THE COMPACT SHALL BE SEVERABLE, AND IF ANY 10
PHRASE, CLAUSE, SENTENCE, OR PROVISION IS DEEMED UNENFORCEABLE , THE 11
REMAINING PROVISIONS OF THE COMPACT SHALL BE ENFORCEABLE. 12

(B) THE PROVISIONS OF THE COMPACT SHALL BE LIBERALLY CONSTRUED 13
TO EFFECTUATE ITS PURPOSES. 14

(C) NOTHING IN THE COMPACT SHALL BE CONS TRUED TO PROHIBIT TH E 15
APPLICABILITY OF OTHER INTERSTATE COMPACTS TO WHICH THE MEMBER STATES 16
ARE MEMBERS. 17

SECTION 24. BINDING EFFECT OF COMPACT AND OTHER LAWS 18

(A) NOTHING HEREIN PREVEN TS THE ENFORCEMENT O F ANY OTHER LAW 19
OF A MEMBER STATE THAT IS NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THE COMPACT. 20

(B) ALL LAWS IN A MEMBER STA TE IN CONFLICT WITH THE COMPACT ARE 21
SUPERSEDED TO THE EXTENT OF THE CONFLICT. 22

(C) ALL LAWFUL ACTIONS OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION, INCLUDING 23
ALL RULES AND BYLAWS PROMULGATED BY THE COMMISSION, ARE BINDING UPON 24
ALL MEMBER STATES. 25

(D) ALL AGREEMENTS BETWEE N THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION AND THE 26
MEMBER STATES ARE BINDING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR TERMS. 27

(E) IN THE EVENT THAT ANY PROVISION OF THE COMPACT EXCEEDS THE 28
CONSTITUTIONAL LIMITS IMPOSED ON THE LEG ISLATURE OF ANY MEMB ER STATE, 29
SUCH PROVISION SHALL B E INEFFECTIVE TO THE EXTENT OF THE CONFLI CT WITH 30
THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION IN QUESTION IN THAT MEMBER STATE. 31
HOUSE BILL 619 23

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act is contingent on the 1
enacting of substantially similar legislation in four other states. The Maryland Department 2
of Health shall notify the Department of Legislative Services within 10 days after four 3
states have enacted legislation that is substantially similar to this Act. 4

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 5
October 1, 2026. 6

Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.
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President of the Senate.