2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 18 - Businesses and Professions › Chapter 18.80 - Interstate Nurse Licensure Compact. › 18.80.080 - Oversight—Dispute resolution—Enforcement.

RCW 18.80.080
Oversight—Dispute resolution—Enforcement.
(1) Each party state shall enforce this compact and take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate this compact's purposes and intent.
(2) The interstate commission shall be entitled to receive service of process in any proceeding that may affect the powers, responsibilities, or actions of the interstate commission, and shall have standing to intervene in such a proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide service of process in such proceeding to the interstate commission shall render a judgment or order void as to the interstate commission, this compact, or promulgated rules.
(a) If the interstate commission determines that a party state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this compact or the promulgated rules, the interstate commission shall:
(i) Provide written notice to the defaulting state and other party states of the nature of the default, the proposed means of curing the default, or any other action to be taken by the interstate commission; and
(ii) Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.
(b) If a state in default fails to cure the default, the defaulting state's membership in this compact may be terminated upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the administrators, and all rights, privileges, and benefits conferred by this compact may be terminated on the effective date of termination. A cure of the default does not relieve the offending state of obligations or liabilities incurred during the period of default.
(c) Termination of membership in this compact shall be imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate shall be given by the interstate commission to the governor of the defaulting state and to the executive officer of the defaulting state's licensing board and each of the party states.
(d) A state whose membership in this compact has been terminated is responsible for all assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the effective date of termination, including obligations that extend beyond the effective date of termination.
(e) The interstate commission shall not bear any costs related to a state that is found to be in default or whose membership in this compact has been terminated unless agreed upon in writing between the interstate commission and the defaulting state.
(f) The defaulting state may appeal the action of the interstate commission by petitioning the United States district court for the District of Columbia or the federal district in which the interstate commission has its principal offices. The prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorneys' fees.
(3)(a) Upon request by a party state, the interstate commission shall attempt to resolve disputes related to the compact that arise among party states and between party and nonparty states.
(b) The interstate commission shall promulgate a rule providing for both mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes, as appropriate.
(c) In the event the interstate commission cannot resolve disputes among party states arising under this compact:
(i) The party states may submit the issues in dispute to an arbitration panel, which will be comprised of individuals appointed by the compact administrator in each of the affected party states and an individual mutually agreed upon by the compact administrators of all the party states involved in the dispute.
(ii) The decision of a majority of the arbitrators shall be final and binding.
(4)(a) The interstate commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce the provisions and rules of this compact.
(b) By majority vote, the interstate commission may initiate legal action in the United States district court for the District of Columbia or the federal district in which the interstate commission has its principal offices against a party state that is in default to enforce compliance with the provisions of this compact and its promulgated rules and bylaws. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorneys' fees.
(c) The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the interstate commission. The interstate commission may pursue any other remedies available under federal or state law.
[ 2023 c 123 § 10.]