FL S0970

Enacts the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, allowing licensed respiratory therapists to practice across member states without obtaining separate licenses in each state, provided they hold an active home state license and maintain credentials from the National Board for Respiratory Care

Establishes the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact Commission as a joint government agency to administer the compact, with each member state appointing one commissioner; the commission has authority to adopt rules, collect fees, maintain a coordinated database of licensees, and take enforcement actions

Requires member states to conduct criminal background checks for new licensees, participate in a shared data system containing licensure and adverse action information, and report any disciplinary actions against licensees to the commission

Allows remote states to take adverse actions against a licensee's compact privilege and issue subpoenas for investigations, while prohibiting discipline for conduct that was legal in the state where it occurred

Provides that active military members and their spouses may designate any state where they hold a license as their home state and are exempt from commission fees for compact privileges; the compact becomes effective when enacted by seven states