1. Short title. This subchapter may be known and cited as "the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact." [PL 2021, c. 331, §1 (NEW).] 2. Legislative intent. This compact is the Maine enactment of the Psychology Interjurisdictional 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. [PL 2021, c. 331, §1 (NEW).] 3. Purpose. The compact protects the public through the verification of education, training and experience and ensures accountability for the professional practice of psychology. A. The compact: (1) Regulates the day-to-day practice of telepsychology, that is, the provision of psychological services using telecommunications technologies by psychologists across state boundaries in the performance of their psychological practice as assigned by an appropriate authority; (2) Regulates the temporary in-person, face-to-face practice of psychology by psychologists across state boundaries for 30 days within a calendar year in the performance of their psychological practice as assigned by an appropriate authority; (3) Authorizes state psychology regulatory authorities to afford legal recognition, in a manner consistent with the terms of the compact, to psychologists licensed in another state; (4) Recognizes that states have a vested interest in protecting public health and safety through their licensing and regulation of psychologists and that such regulation will best protect public health and safety; (5) Does not apply when psychologists are licensed in both their home state and receiving states; and (6) Does not apply to ongoing in-person, face-to-face practice but allows for authorization of a temporary psychological practice. [PL 2021, c. 331, §1 (NEW).] B. The compact is designed to achieve the following purposes and objectives: (1) To increase public access to professional psychological services by allowing for telepsychological practice across state lines as well as temporary in-person, face-to-face services in a state in which the psychologist is not licensed to practice psychology; (2) To enhance a state's ability to protect public health and safety, especially client safety; (3) To encourage the cooperation of compact states in the areas of psychology licensure and regulation; (4) To facilitate the exchange of information between compact states regarding psychologist licensure, adverse actions and disciplinary history; (5) To promote compliance with the laws governing psychological practice in each compact state; and (6) To invest all compact states with the authority to hold licensed psychologists accountable through the mutual recognition of compact states' licenses. [PL 2021, c. 331, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 331, §1 (NEW).] REVISOR'S NOTE: §3841. Definitions (As enacted by PL 2021, c. 291, Pt. B, §11 is REALLOCATED TO TITLE 32, SECTION 3850-E)
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