Authorizing Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board of Examiners to conduct criminal background checks for licensing
SB 443 authorizes the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board of Examiners to require criminal background checks as part of the licensing process for these professionals. The bill directly affects individuals seeking or renewing licenses to work as speech-language pathologists or audiologists in the state. Its key provision grants the Board the authority to conduct these background checks to ensure public safety, replacing any previous restrictions on this requirement. The law became effective upon the Governor's approval in March 2025.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
Aug 2025
Introduced Feb 13, 2025
Signed Aug 8, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Committee Substitute
→
Enrolled Committee Substitute
·
5 edits
·
Mar 24, 2025
MODERATE
The bill has been finalized and enrolled for passage, changing its status from a committee substitute to the official enrolled version. The substantive policy content regarding criminal background checks for speech-language pathologists remains unchanged, though the text was reformatted to include standard legislative certification signatures and final enactment language.
Scope change
The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; only the procedural status and formatting of the document have been updated.
TECHNICAL
Added certification signatures for the Clerks of the Senate and House of Delegates, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Delegates to formally certify the bill as enrolled.
Added standard legislative text indicating the bill originated in the Senate and is effective immediately upon passage.
Added signature lines for the Governor and date fields to complete the official enrolled document.
Removed the previous committee report date and replaced it with the final passage date and effective date.
Updated the document title from 'Committee Substitute' to 'Enrolled Version - Final Version' to reflect its final status.
Floor votes · Senate Feb 26, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 13, 2025
How they voted
32–0
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 33
Feb 26, 2025
D
Democratic2
100% Yea
R
Republican31
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
35
Key actions
6
Committee
5
Mar 24, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 3/24/2025
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 3/25/2025 - House Journal
lower
Mar 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed House (Roll No. 77)
lower
Mar 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Do pass
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
To House Government Organization
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
To Government Organization
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (Roll No. 37)
upper
Feb 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee substitute reported
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Committee
To Government Organization
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Eric Tarr
RRepublican
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about SB 443
Scope: WV
Hi! I can help you understand SB 443. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline