MT HB447

Montana enacts the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, allowing respiratory therapists licensed in one member state to practice in other member states through a "compact privilege" without obtaining additional licenses

Establishes the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact Commission as a joint government agency to administer the compact, with one commissioner from each member state's respiratory therapy licensing authority

Requires criminal background checks via fingerprint submission for all new respiratory care license applicants and optionally for license renewals

The compact becomes effective when seven states have enacted it; active military members and their spouses are exempt from commission fees for the compact privilege

Licensees must have no adverse actions against their license within the previous 2 years, maintain National Board for Respiratory Care credentials, and comply with remote state scope of practice requirements to exercise compact privileges