ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fourth Legislature

Second Regular Session

 

HB 2225: speech-language pathologists; assistants

Sponsor:  Representative Barto, LD 15

Committee on Health & Human Services

Overview

Makes a variety of changes and updates to the statutes related to audiologists, hearing aid dispensers and speech-language pathologists.

History

Within the Arizona Department of Health Services (DHS) is the Bureau of Special Licensing (Bureau). According to the Bureau, they issue more than 7,000 licenses for speech and hearing professionals, midwives and group homes for individuals living with developmental disabilities. The Bureau certifies 12,000 Medical Radiologic Technologists and Certified Laser Technicians and licenses medical marijuana dispensaries and dispensary agents. Licensing inspections, on-site surveys and complaint investigations are conducted to promote quality care and safety and ensure that performance standards are met.  

Audiologist is defined as a person who engages in the practice of audiology. Hearing aid dispenser means a person who engages in the practice of fitting and dispensing hearing aids. Speech-language pathology means the nonmedical and nonsurgical application of principles, methods and procedures of assessment, testing, evaluation and prediction related to speech and language and its disorders and related communication impairments for the nonmedical diagnosis, prevention, amelioration or modification of these disorders and conditions (A.R.S. §  36-1901).

Provisions

1.    ☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal NoteAmends the definition of direct supervision to allow for telecommunication services. (Sec. 1)

2.    Consolidates the Advisory Committee with the Examining Committee for the purpose of assisting in examining applicants, assisting the director in disciplinary actions and other prescribed duties. (Sec. 2)

3.    Allows for the director's designee to serve on the Advisory Committee. (Sec. 2)

4.    Specifies that of the two licensed speech-language pathologists on the Advisory Committee, one must provide services in a school setting. (Sec. 2)

5.    Designates two licensed speech-language pathology assistants as members of the Advisory Committee. (Sec. 2)

6.    Sets a term of two years for Advisory Committee members. (Sec. 2)

7.    Removes language related to the Examining and Advisory Committees. (Sec. 2)

8.    Eliminates mail as a method of delivery to a licensee. (Sec. 3)

9.    Repeals A.R.S. § 36-1910 relating to application of chapter to corporations and other organizations. (Sec. 4)

10.  Deletes language requiring a hearing aid dispenser, audiology or a speech-language pathology applicant from another jurisdiction to pass an examination on jurisprudence and ethics. (Sec. 5, 7 and 8)

11.  Eliminates the requirement for the director to promptly notify a licensee's employer if the director initiates a disciplinary action against the licensee. (Sec. 6)

12.  Clarifies that the doctoral degree must be from an accredited program recognized by the United States Department of Education. (Sec. 7)

13.  Requires DHS to waive the education, clinical practicum and postgraduate professional experience examination requirements under outlined circumstances for a person who wishes to be licensed as an audiologist or a speech-language pathologist. (Sec. 8).

14.  States DHS must waive the education and clinical practicum post-graduate professional experience and examination requirements for a person who wishes to be licensed as an audiologist, if the applicant submits proof and holds a certification of clinical competence in audiology from a nationally recognized speech-language hearing association approved by DHS. (Sec. 8)  

15.  Allows the director to waive the educational requirements for a speech-language pathology assistant applicant if the applicant holds certification as a speech-language pathology assistant from a nationally recognized speech-language hearing association approved by DHS in the field for which the applicant is applying for licensure. (Sec. 9)

16.  Clarifies supervision requirements for a speech-language pathology assistant by specifying the amount of supervision can be adjusted if the supervising speech-language pathologist determines that the speech-language pathology assistant has met appropriate competencies and skill levels with a variety of communication and related disorders. (Sec. 9) 

17.  Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 and 9)  

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