Maine § 17501. - Short title, legislative intent and declaration of purpose

§ 17501.. Short title, legislative intent and declaration of purpose

1.  Short title.  This subchapter may be known and cited as "the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact."

2.  Legislative intent.  This compact is the Maine enactment of the "Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact," which is referred to in this subchapter as "the compact." The form, format and text of the compact have been changed minimally so as to conform to the Maine Revised Statutes. The changes to the compact are technical in nature, and this Act must be interpreted as substantively the same as the compact that is enacted by other compact states.

3.  Declaration of purpose.  The purpose of this compact is to facilitate interstate practice of audiology and speech-language pathology with the goal of improving public access to audiology and speech-language pathology services. The practice of audiology and speech-language pathology occurs in the state where the client is located at the time of the client encounter. The compact preserves the regulatory authority of states to protect public health and safety through the current system of state licensure. The compact is designed to achieve the following objectives:

A. Increase public access to audiology and speech-language pathology services by providing for the mutual recognition of other member state licenses;   [PL 2023, c. 310, §1 (NEW).]

B. Enhance the states' ability to protect the public's health and safety;   [PL 2023, c. 310, §1 (NEW).]

C. Encourage the cooperation of member states in regulating multistate audiology and speech-language pathology practice;   [PL 2023, c. 310, §1 (NEW).]

D. Support spouses of relocating active duty military personnel;   [PL 2023, c. 310, §1 (NEW).]

E. Enhance the exchange of licensure, investigative and disciplinary information between member states;   [PL 2023, c. 310, §1 (NEW).]

F. Allow a remote state to hold a provider of services with a compact privilege in that state accountable to that state's practice standards; and   [PL 2023, c. 310, §1 (NEW).]

G. Allow for the use of telehealth technology to facilitate increased access to audiology and speech-language pathology services.   [PL 2023, c. 310, §1 (NEW).]