MADISON – Representative Jessie Rodriguez (R-Oak Creek) and Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R-Appleton) authored Senate Bill 190, ratifying the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact in Wisconsin. This bill was signed into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 76 today.
Act 76 ratifies the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact in Wisconsin, creating a ‘compact privilege,’ which will allow respiratory therapists who hold a license in good standing in their home state to practice immediately in Wisconsin, provided they adhere to our state’s scope of practice.
“Establishing the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact will allow for greater flexibility for respiratory therapists from other states to come practice in Wisconsin, and vice versa,” began Rep. Rodriguez. “This can make Wisconsin a more appealing place for respiratory therapists to relocate to, growing our healthcare workforce and expanding access for patients,” she continued.
“The current lengthy, state-by-state licensure process for respiratory therapists creates dangerous staffing voids – especially in our rural hospitals and long-term care facilities that serve our most medically vulnerable seniors and patients,” said Sen. Cabral-Guevara. “By joining this compact, Wisconsin expands the available pool of licensed professionals, reduces the risk of critical shortages, improves continuity of specialized pulmonary care, and helps us attract military families who relocate frequently.”
Interstate compacts are a proven framework for building out the healthcare workforce. Wisconsin has previously enacted legislation joining other compacts, including the Counseling, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy Compacts. In order for the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact to be formed, at least seven states must enact legislation joining the compact. With Act 76, Wisconsin becomes the fifth state to ratify the compact, joining Alabama, Iowa, Montana, and Washington. Additional states are expected to join the compact in the new year. The compact commission will be convened and begin to operationalize thereafter.
“As an inaugural member of the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, Wisconsin will have a seat at the table as the compact forms, begins making rules, and establishes its data system,” Rodriguez explained.
Senate Bill 190 passed both the Assembly and the Senate unanimously, and is supported by the Wisconsin Society for Respiratory Care, The American Legion, AARP, Aspirus Health, Aurora Health Care, Bellin Gundersen Health System Inc., Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Froedtert ThedaCare Health Inc., Mayo Clinic Health System, and SSM Health.
“We’re proud to have led this effort in the Legislature and thank the Governor for working with us on this bill and ultimately signing it into law,” concluded Rodriguez and Cabral-Guevara.
