Title 5
Businesses and Professions

Chapter 39.3
Counseling Compact

R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-39.3-15

§ 5-39.3-15. Binding effect of compact and other laws.

(a) A licensee providing professional counseling services in a remote state under the privilege to practice shall adhere to the laws and regulations, including scope of practice, of the remote state.

(b) Nothing herein prevents the enforcement of any other law of a member state that is not inconsistent with the compact.

(c) Any laws in a member state in conflict with the compact are superseded to the extent of the conflict.

(d) Any lawful actions of the commission, including all rules and bylaws properly promulgated by the commission, are binding upon the member states.

(e) All permissible agreements between the commission and the member states are binding in accordance with their terms.

(f) In the event any provision of the compact exceeds the constitutional limits imposed on the legislature of any member state, the provision shall be ineffective to the extent of the conflict with the constitutional provision in question in that member state. The compact also provides for the establishment of a commission which may promulgate rules, hire employees, purchase real estate and fix their composition among other powers. The commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each member state. The aggregate annual assessment amount shall be allocated based upon a formula to be determined by the commission, which shall promulgate a rule binding upon all member states. By majority vote, the commission may initiate legal action in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district court where the commission has its principal office against a member state in default to enforce compliance with the provisions of the compact and its promulgated rules and by laws.

History of Section.
P.L. 2024, ch. 262, § 2; P.L. 2024, ch. 263, § 2.