Adopts the psychology interjurisdictional compact (Part A); adopts the recognition of emergency medical services personnel licensure interstate compact (Part B); adopts the interstate counseling compact (Part C).
This bill is a three-part interstate compact measure that would add New York to national licensure compacts for psychologists (Part A), emergency medical services personnel (Part B), and professional counselors (Part C). Each compact is designed to let qualified licensees practice across state lines under specified conditions, while preserving each state’s authority over licensure, scope of practice, discipline, and public protection. The bill largely mirrors model compact language and creates or joins multistate commissions to administer the agreements, share licensure and disciplinary information, and adopt binding rules for member states.
Part A would authorize psychologists licensed in a compact state to provide telepsychology in other compact states and to perform limited temporary in-person practice in another state, subject to eligibility requirements such as education, background checks, active compact credentials, and no disqualifying discipline. Part C would do the same for licensed professional counselors, including telehealth practice and a privilege to practice in other member states. Part B, despite its caption referencing emergency medical services personnel, contains text establishing a physical therapy compact, allowing physical therapists and physical therapist assistants to obtain compact privileges in other member states under similar licensure, background check, and disciplinary-reporting rules. Each part also establishes a compact commission, data-sharing system, rulemaking process, enforcement mechanisms, and withdrawal procedures.
The bill would amend the Education Law and Public Health Law to enact three interstate compact frameworks into New York law, making compact rules and privileges legally operative in the state once the required number of member states joins. It would create new statutory provisions governing interstate practice, reporting of adverse actions, background checks, data sharing, commission authority, and enforcement for psychologists, counselors, and the profession described in Part B. The measure would affect state licensing boards, licensed professionals seeking multistate practice, and New York’s regulatory agencies by requiring participation in compact databases and compliance with compact rules that would have the force of law in member states.
The available vote history suggests generally favorable committee support, but not unanimous agreement. In the Assembly Higher Education Committee, the bill was held for consideration on a 15-8 vote, indicating meaningful support alongside a notable minority of opposition or reservations. No committee transcript was provided, so the record does not show detailed debate, but the structure of the bill and the committee vote suggest the measure was viewed as a significant professional mobility and licensure modernization proposal with some concerns left unresolved.
The main points of contention likely involve the balance between interstate mobility and state regulatory control. Supporters would favor expanded access to services, easier cross-state practice, and streamlined licensure for psychologists, counselors, and physical therapists, especially for telehealth and military families. Opponents or skeptics may be concerned about reduced state autonomy, the breadth of commission rulemaking power, data-sharing and confidentiality, background-check requirements, and the ability of remote states to discipline practitioners. The mismatch between Part B’s caption and its physical therapy text may also raise drafting or policy clarity concerns, though the bill text itself clearly sets out a physical therapy compact in that section.