HB266 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Neil RaffertyRepresentative

Democrat

Co-Sponsor

Paul W. Lee

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, established to authorize licensed psychologists to practice on a limited basis among compact member states

Summary

This bill creates the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) to let licensed psychologists practice across member states via telepsychology and limited in-person work, overseen by a new regional commission and shared regulatory systems.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes day-to-day telepsychology across compact states and temporary in-person practice up to 30 days per year in other compact states. It requires state psychology regulatory authorities (including the Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology) to recognize psychologists licensed in other compact states under the compact’s terms. It creates a PSYPACT Commission and a coordinated licensure information system to handle licensure, investigations, disciplinary actions, dispute resolution, and enforcement across states.

Who It Affects

• Licensed psychologists in Alabama and other PSYPACT member states who would be allowed to practice telepsychology across state lines and, for up to 30 days per year, perform in-person services in other compact states, provided they meet eligibility rules and hold the required credentials (e.g., IPC and appropriate licenses).
• Residents and patients in compact states (including Alabama) who would gain access to telepsychology and temporary in-person psychology services from out-of-state psychologists, with practice regulated by the receiving state and the commission.

Key Provisions

• Establish PSYPACT to allow cross-state telepsychology and up to 30 days of temporary in-person practice across compact states; licenses from home states are recognized under compact rules.
• Create the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Commission with defined membership, powers, duties, rulemaking authority, enforcement, and dispute resolution mechanisms.
• Set up a Coordinated Licensure Information System (coordinated database) to share licensure, enforcement actions, adverse actions, and other relevant information among all compact states, with confidentiality protections.
• Define home state, distant/receiving states, and eligibility criteria for psychologists to practice under the compact, including degree requirements, identity history checks, active IPC/E-Passport, and compliance with bylaws and rules.
• Provide for adverse actions and reporting across states (home, distant, and receiving states), with mechanisms to revoke telepsychology or temporary authorization if actions occur; regulate investigations and actions according to each state's due process laws.
• Grant authorized enforcement tools (e.g., subpoenas, cease-and-desist orders) and outline funding, auditing, and governance provisions to support the commission and member states.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Psychologists