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S 1136

OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING – Adds to existing law to provide for Idaho’s participation in the respiratory care interstate compact.

68th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

Idaho joins the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, allowing cross-state practice under a compact privilege while preserving state licensure authority and public safety.

Reported Printed; referred to Commerce & Human Resources
#health #healthcarefacilities #healthcareprofessionsandproviders #interstatecompacts #medical
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Bill Summary · S 1136

Summary — S 1136 (2025): Respiratory Care Interstate Compact (Idaho)

Purpose

S 1136 adds a new section (54-4308A) to Idaho law to authorize Idaho’s participation in the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. The compact is intended to increase patient access to respiratory care, promote practitioner mobility (including support for relocating active military members and spouses), address workforce shortages, and preserve state authority to regulate and protect public health and safety.

Key provisions

  • Enacts the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact into Idaho law in substantially the model form.
  • Establishes core concepts and definitions (e.g., “compact privilege,” “home state,” “remote state,” “encumbered license,” “respiratory therapist,” “domicile”).
  • Compact privilege: Allows a respiratory therapist who holds an active, unencumbered home-state license and meets other compact requirements to obtain authorization to practice in other member states without obtaining separate licenses in those states. The practice is deemed to occur where the patient is located at the time of the encounter.
  • Retains state regulatory authority: Member states retain power to investigate and take adverse action (e.g., denial, suspension, revocation, probation, practice limitations) under state law; compact includes procedures for adverse actions and information sharing.
  • Special provisions for active military members and spouses to ease licensure/mobility burdens.
  • Establishes the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact Commission (an interstate governmental body of member states) with authority for rulemaking, a shared data system (repository of licensee information), oversight, dispute resolution, enforcement, and admission of member states.
  • Sets processes for criminal background checks (fingerprints/biometric checks), jurisprudence requirements, withdrawal/amendment of compact, severability, and resolution of conflicts with other state laws.
  • Includes an emergency clause providing for an effective date upon enactment.

Who is affected

  • Respiratory therapists practicing in Idaho or seeking to practice across member states.
  • Idaho’s respiratory therapy licensing authority (administrative responsibilities, reporting, enforcement).
  • Patients and health facilities that may benefit from expanded access to cross-state respiratory care.
  • Active military members and their spouses who are respiratory therapists.

Procedural status & timeline

  • Introduced in the Idaho Senate: March 26, 2025.
  • Reported, printed and referred to Commerce & Human Resources (date referenced Feb/Mar 2025).
  • Passed the Idaho Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent: June 10, 2025.
  • Received in the Idaho House and held at the desk: June 11, 2025.
  • Bill text includes an emergency clause (would take effect upon enactment).

Fiscal impact

  • Revised fiscal note states the legislation will not change current licensure requirements and has no fiscal impact on state or local government revenue or expenditures.

Considerations

  • Idaho’s participation requires subsequent enactment (joining the compact) and administrative coordination (data reporting, commission participation, rule implementation).
  • By design, the compact aims to increase mobility while preserving state disciplinary authority; stakeholders may assess implementation details (data sharing, background check reciprocity, rulemaking by the commission) as the bill moves through the legislative process.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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