AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 37 OF TITLE 24 RELATING TO SPEECH/LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS, AUDIOLOGISTS AND HEARING AID DISPENSERS.

This Bill amends the Board composition to provide that a slot may be filled by an audiologist or by a hearing aid dispenser which shall address the challenge in locating a hearing aid dispenser to serve on the Board. Further, this Bill adds a definition for the “practice of hearing aid dispensing” to set forth the appropriate scope of practice for hearing aid dispensers, based on their training and qualifications, in the interest of public protection. This Bill also strikes references to audiology and speech pathology aides because the Board does not license or regulate these professions. The requirements for licensure and license renewal, for speech/language pathologists and audiologists, have been amended in the interests of clarity. Upon application, a speech/language pathologist must submit proof of current certification from the American Speech and Hearing Association (“ASHA”) and audiologists must submit proof of either current ASHA certification or board certification from the American Board of Audiology. Reciprocity applicants for speech/language pathology and audiology must meet this same requirement. Also, at the time of the first renewal only, speech/language pathologists and audiologists must show the appropriate current certification. Finally, references to “excessive use or abuse of drugs” have been amended to be consistent with the definition of this term.