Respiratory Care Interstate Compact establishment

SF 3951 establishes Minnesota's participation in the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, a framework allowing licensed respiratory therapists from member states to practice across state lines more easily. The bill creates a system where therapists licensed in Minnesota (the "home state") could practice in other participating states ("remote states") without needing separate licenses, while preserving each state's authority to regulate therapy practice. Key provisions include standardized definitions, a shared data system for license verification, and requirements like criminal background checks. This directly affects respiratory therapists seeking multi-state work and patients in member states who may gain better access to care, particularly supporting military families relocating between states. The bill is currently in committee after its introduction on February 26, 2026.