SENATE, No. 539

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED JANUARY 29, 1996

 

 

By Senator KYRILLOS

 

 

An Act establishing a State board of audiology, speech-language pathology and hearing aid dispensing, supplementing Title 45 of the Revised Statutes and revising and repealing parts of the statutory law.

 

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

    1. (New section) The Legislature finds and declares that the practices of audiology, speech-language pathology and hearing aid dispensing, presently regulated by the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Advisory Committee and the Hearing Aid Dispensers Examining Committee, respectively, need continued regulation for the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of this State. The Legislature further finds and declares that this purpose will best be served by the establishment of a single regulatory authority, to be known as the State Board of Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology and Hearing Aid Dispensing, to replace the aforesaid Committees for the purposes of licensing practitioners of the subject professions and enforcing certain standards to ensure the competency and ethical conduct of these licensees.

 

    2. (New section) As used in this act:

    "Audiologist" means a person who practices audiology and who represents himself to the public by title or by description of services, under any title incorporating such terms as "audiology," "audiologist," "audiological," "audiologic," "hearing clinic," "hearing clinician," "hearing therapist," or any similar title or description of services, provided that he has met the eligibility requirements contained in section 8 of this act and has been duly licensed under this act.

    "Board" means the Board of Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology and Hearing Aid Dispensing created by section 3 of this act.

    "Director" means the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety.

    "Hearing aid dispenser" means a person, other than an audiologist licensed pursuant to the provisions of this act, who is engaged in the fitting and selling of hearing aids to a person with impaired hearing.

    "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, association or other organization, except that only individuals may be licensed under this act.

    "Practice of audiology" means the nonmedical and nonsurgical application of principles, methods, and procedures of measurement, testing, evaluation, prediction, consultation, counseling, instruction, and habilitation or rehabilitation related to hearing, its disorders and related communication impairments for the purpose of nonmedical diagnosis, prevention, identification, amelioration or modification of these disorders and conditions in individuals or groups of individuals with speech, language or hearing handicaps, or to individuals or groups of individuals for whom these handicapping conditions must be ruled out. The practice of audiology includes:

    (1) The facilitation of the conservation of auditory system function and the development and implementation of environmental and occupational hearing conservation programs;

    (2) The screening, identification, assessment and interpretation, diagnosis, prevention and rehabilitation of peripheral and central auditory system dysfunctions; and cerumen management;

    (3) The provision and interpretation of behavioral and (electro) physiological measurements and vestibular function testing;

    (4) The practice of dispensing and fitting hearing aids and other amplification, assistive listening and alerting devices and the provision of training to patients in their use; provided, however, that an audiologist who was not licensed to dispense and fit hearing aids pursuant to any state law prior to the effective date of this act shall not perform the activities set forth in this paragraph until such time as he is specifically licensed to do so in accordance with regulations to be adopted by the board pursuant to subsection a. of section 16 of this act.

    (5) The provision of aural rehabilitation and related counseling services to hearing impaired individuals and their families; and

    (6) The screening of speech-language and other factors affecting communication function for the purposes of an audiologic evaluation or initial identification of individuals with other communication disorders, or both.

    "Practice of dispensing and fitting hearing aids" means the evaluation or measurement of the power or range of human hearing by means of an audiometer or by any other means devised and the consequent selection of adaption or sale of hearing aids intended to compensate for hearing loss, including the making of an impression of the ear.

    "Practice of speech-language pathology" means the nonmedical and nonsurgical application of principles, methods, and procedures of measurement, testing, evaluation, prediction, consultation, counseling, instruction, and habilitation or rehabilitation and instruction related to the development and disorders of speech, voice, oral-pharyngeal motor dysfunction and language for the purpose of preventing, ameliorating and modifying these disorders and conditions in individuals or groups of individuals with speech, language, oral-pharyngeal motor dysfunction, or hearing handicaps, or to individuals or groups of individuals for whom these handicapping conditions must be ruled out. The practice of speech-language pathology includes:

    (1) The screening, identification, assessment and interpretation, diagnosis, rehabilitation, and prevention of disorders of speech (such as articulation, fluency, voice) and language;

    (2) The screening, identification, assessment and interpretation, diagnosis, and rehabilitation of disorders of oral-pharyngeal function (such as dysphagia) and related disorders;

    (3) The screening, identification, assessment and interpretation, diagnosis, and rehabilitation of cognitive/communication disorders;

    (4) The assessment, selection and development of augmentative and alternative communication systems and the provision of training in their use;

    (5) The provision of aural rehabilitation and related counseling services to hearing impaired individuals and their families;

    (6) The enhancement of speech-language proficiency and communication effectiveness, through techniques such as accent reduction; and

    (7) The screening of hearing and other factors for the purpose of speech-language evaluation and/or the initial identification of individuals with other communication disorders.

    "Speech-language pathologist" means an individual who practices speech-language pathology and who represents himself to the public by title or by description of services under any title incorporating such terms as "speech-language pathology," "speech-language pathologist," "speech-language specialist," "speech pathology," "speech pathologist," "speech correction," "speech correctionist," "speech therapy," "speech therapist," "speech clinic," "speech clinician," "logopedist," "communicologist," "language therapist," "communication disorders specialist," "communication specialist," "communication therapist," or any similar title or description of services, provided that the individual has met the eligibility requirements contained in section 8 and has been licensed under this act.

 

    3. (New section) There is created in the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety the State Board of Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology and Hearing Aid Dispensing, which shall be responsible for the licensure of audiologists, speech-language pathologists and hearing aid dispensers.

 

    4. (New section) The board shall consists of eleven residents of this State who shall be appointed by the Governor. Two members shall be audiologists, two members shall be speech-language pathologists, and two members shall be hearing aid dispensers not licensed to practice audiology under any prior or current law in any state. Two members shall be persons who are licensed to practice medicine and surgery by this State, one of whom shall be a diplomate of the American Board of Otolaryngology or the American Osteopathic Board of Otolaryngology, and one of whom shall be a diplomate of the American Academy of Family Practice. Two members shall be public members and one member shall be a State Executive department member appointed pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1971, c.60 (C.45:1-2.1 et seq.).

    Each non-public member of the board shall hold a valid New Jersey license to practice and have had at least five years' experience in his or her profession, and shall be actively engaged in the practice of their profession at the time of appointment.

 

    5. (New section) Each member of the board, except the members first appointed, shall serve for a term of five years and shall hold office until the appointment and qualification of his successor. The initial appointments to the board shall be two members for a term of two years, two members for a term of three years, three members for terms of four years and four members for terms of five years.

    Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired terms only. No member may be appointed for more than two consecutive terms, nor serve on the board for more than 10 consecutive years.

 

    6. (New section) The members of the board, before entering the discharge of their duties, and within 30 days after their appointment, shall take and subscribe to an oath before an officer authorized to administer oaths in this State for the faithful performance of their duties and file the oath with the Secretary of State. The members of the board shall annually elect from their number a president and a secretary-treasurer, each of whom shall hold office for one year and until his successor shall have been elected and qualified.

    Regular meetings of the board shall be held at such times and places as it prescribes and special meetings may be held upon the call of the president. At least one regular meeting shall be held each year.

 

    7. (New section) The board shall have the following powers and duties:

    a. To establish minimum requirements for the licensure of audiologists, speech-language pathologists and hearing aid dispensers;

    b. To evaluate the qualifications of applicants for licensure as audiologists, speech-language pathologists and hearing aid dispensers and to supervise the examination of applicants;

    c. To establish standards of professional conduct for licensed audiologists, speech-language pathologists and hearing aid dispensers;

    d. To establish standards, guidelines and procedures for the completion of clinical internships;

    e. To establish basic requirements for continuing education; and

    f. To do any and all other things which may be appropriate to achieve the objectives contemplated by this act, or which may be useful in executing any of the duties, powers or functions of the board.

 

    8. (New section) a. To be eligible for a license to practice audiology, or speech-language pathology, an applicant shall:

    (1) Possess at least a master's degree or its equivalent in the area of audiology or speech-language pathology from an accredited college or university acceptable to the Commission on Higher Education;

    (2) Have the amount of formal training, including any hours of academic courses and clinical practice, in any areas of study as the board deems necessary and appropriate and which shall not be substantially inconsistent with current nationally recognized professional standards;

    (3) Complete a clinical internship in the professional area for which the license is sought in accordance with the standards, guidelines or procedures for clinical internships which may be established by the board. The clinical internship shall not be substantially inconsistent with currently recognized national professional standards and shall be under the direct supervision of a person who is: (a) licensed to practice speech-language pathology or audiology, as appropriate, by this State or by another state which has standards substantially equivalent to those of this State; (b) in a state without licensure laws, provided that the supervisor shows evidence of credentials equivalent to the requirements for licensure under this act; or (c) in this State practicing in an exempt setting, provided that the supervisor shows evidence of credentials equivalent to the requirements for licensure under this act.

    (4) Pass any examination for licensure which may be approved and required by the board, which examination shall be given at least once a year.

    b. To be eligible for a hearing aid dispenser's license, an applicant shall:

    (1) Be at least 18 years of age and possess a high school diploma or the equivalent thereof;

    (2) Have the amount of formal education, training and supervision


 in the dispensing of hearing aids as the board deems necessary and appropriate;

    (3) Pass any examination for licensure which may be approved and required by the board, and which shall be given at least once a year.

 

    9. (New section) The board shall issue a license to practice audiology or speech-language pathology, or to dispense hearing aids to all applicants who meet the qualifications established for licensure. Licenses shall be effective for a period not to exceed two years and may be renewed biennially.

    Licensure shall be granted independently in audiology, speech-language pathology, or hearing aid dispensing. A person may be licensed in one or more of these areas if he is qualified.

 

    10. (New section) The board shall accept, in lieu of an examination, proof that an applicant for licensure holds a current license in a state which has standards substantially equivalent to those of this State.

 

    11. (New section) a. The board shall issue a temporary license to any person who has applied for licensure as an audiologist or speech-language pathologist, or both, as the case may be; who has satisfactorily met the licensing requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection a. of section 8 of this act; and who is participating in a clinical internship required for licensure pursuant to paragraph (3) of subsection a. of section 8 of this act. The temporary license shall be effective only during the clinical internship period not to exceed 18 months, and shall not be renewed except in accordance with regulations to be adopted by the board.

    b. The board shall issue temporary hearing aid dispenser licenses in accordance with the following provisions:

    (1) An applicant for licensure as a hearing aid dispenser who fulfills the requirements of subsection b. of section 8 of this act who has not previously applied to take the examination provided under paragraph (3) of subsection b. of section 8 of this act may apply to the board for a temporary license.

    (a) Upon receiving an application for a temporary license, accompanied by the appropriate fee as determined by the board, the board shall issue a temporary license which shall entitle the applicant to practice the dispensing of hearing aids for a period ending 30 days after the conclusion of the next examination given after the date of issuance.

    (b) No temporary license shall be issued by the board unless the applicant shows to the satisfaction of the board that he is or will be supervised and trained by a person who holds a valid license or certificate of endorsement issued pursuant to this act.

    (c) If a person who holds a temporary license issued under this section does not take the next examination given after the date of issuance, the temporary license shall not be renewed, except for good cause shown to the satisfaction of the board.

    (d) If a person who holds a temporary license issued under this section takes and fails to pass the next examination given after the date of issuance, the board may renew the temporary license for a period ending 30 days after the results of the next examination given after the date of renewal are announced. In no event shall more than one renewal pursuant to this subparagraph be permitted. The fee for such renewal shall be determined by the board.

    (2) An applicant for licensure as a hearing aid dispenser who meets the requirements of subsection b. of section 8 of this act except with respect to training and experience, but who wants to obtain the requisite training and experience in order to qualify for a license and who proves to the satisfaction of the board that he will be directly supervised and trained by a person who holds a valid license or certificate of endorsement issued pursuant to this act, may have a temporary license issued to him which shall entitle him to engage, under such direct supervision, in the dispensing of hearing aids for a period ending 30 days after the results of the next examination are announced. A temporary license issued pursuant to this paragraph may be renewed from period to period not to exceed two consecutive years.

 

    12. (New section) No person shall practice or hold himself out as being able to practice audiology, speech-language pathology or hearing aid dispensing in this State unless he is licensed in accordance with the provisions of this act.

 

    13. (New section) The provisions of this act shall not apply to:

    a. The activities and services of any person who is licensed to practice medicine and surgery by this State, provided that such a person is not referred to as an audiologist, speech-language pathologist, or hearing aid dispenser;

    b. The activities, services, and use of an official title on the part of a person in the employ of a federal agency, as such services are part of the duties of his office or position with that agency, or any person certified by the State Board of Examiners in the Department of Education as a speech correctionist or a speech-language specialist; provided however, that no person shall be exempt under this subsection for that portion of his time spent as a private practitioner of audiology or speech-language pathology or hearing aid dispenser. If he does any work as an audiologist, speech-language pathologist or hearing aid dispenser for which a fee may be paid by a recipient of the service or as part of a private practice apart from his position with the government agency, he shall hold a valid and current license therefor;

    c. The activities and services of a student, fellow or trainee in audiology, speech-language pathology or hearing aid dispensing pursuing a course of study of an accredited university, college or other institution which may be approved by the board for this purpose, or working in a recognized training center, if these activities and services constitute a part of his course of study under a supervisor licensed in audiology, speech-language pathology or hearing aid dispensing;

    d. The activities and services within the scope of practice of any person who is registered, certified or licensed in this State under any other law to engage in the profession or occupation for which he is registered, certified or licensed.

 

    14. (New section) All applicants for license renewal shall submit to the board evidence of satisfactory completion of any continuing education requirements that the board shall adopt by regulation.

    The board shall notify each licensed individual of any failure to comply with this requirement, and shall further notify him that upon continued failure to comply within 3 months of the date of the notice, the board may, in its discretion, take action, pursuant to P.L.1978, c.73 (C.45:1-14 et seq.), to suspend or revoke the license.

 

    15. (New section) Every licensed audiologist, speech-language pathologist and hearing aid dispenser commencing to practice in this State shall notify the board of his office address, and shall promptly notify the board of any change in his office address. The board shall annually publish complete lists of the names and office addresses of all audiologists, speech-language pathologists and hearing aid dispensers licensed and practicing in this State. The list shall be arranged alphabetically by name and also by the names of the municipalities in which the various offices are situated.

 

    16. (New section) The board shall adopt, amend or repeal any regulations, consistent with the policy and objectives of this act, as it may deem appropriate or necessary for the public interest, in accordance with the provisions of the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.). The regulations shall include:

    a. Educational, training, licensure and examination requirements for audiologists not previously licensed to dispense and fit hearing aids pursuant to any prior law of this State who seek to perform the activities set forth in paragraph (4) of the definition of the practice of audiology in section 2 of this act;

    b. Directives concerning the public use of professional titles and certifications, and educational degrees by audiologists, speech-language pathologists and hearing aid dispensers, including the differentiation between audiologists who are licensed to perform the activities set forth in paragraph (4) of the definition of the practice of audiology in section 2 of this act, and those who are not.

 

    17. (New section) There shall be an Executive Director of the board appointed by the director who shall serve at the director's pleasure. The director shall also be empowered to hire any assistants as are necessary to administer this act. The salary of the Executive Director and the hiring of assistants shall be in accordance with the provisions of section 2 of P.L.1977, c.285 (C.45:1-2.5) and R.S.45:1-3.

 

    18. (New section) The following provisions shall apply to the selection, fitting and sale of all hearing aids within this State, whether by a licensed audiologist or a licensed hearing aid dispenser, or as specified hereunder:

    a. The licensee shall advise a prospective hearing aid user at the outset of their relationship that any examination or representation made by the licensee in connection with the selection, fitting and sale of a hearing aid is not an examination, diagnosis or prescription by a person licensed to practice medicine in this State, or by a licensed audiologist if the licensee is a hearing aid dispenser, and, therefore, must not be regarded as a medical opinion or an audiological opinion, as the case may be.

    b. Prior to the delivery of services or products to a prospective purchaser, the licensee shall disclose to the prospective purchaser an itemized listing of prices, which listing shall include separate price estimates for each service component and each product. Provision of such itemized listing of prices shall not be predicated on the prospective purchaser's payment of any charge or agreement to purchase any service or product. Notice of the availability of this service shall be displayed in a conspicuous manner in the licensee's office.

    c. The licensee shall, upon the consummation of a sale of a hearing aid, deliver to the purchaser a written receipt, signed by or on behalf of the licensee, containing all of the following:

    (1) the date of consummation of the sale;

    (2) an itemization of the total purchase price if requested by the purchaser, including, but not limited to, the cost of the aid, ear mold, batteries and other accessories, and any services;

    (3) specifications as to make, serial number, and model number of the hearing aid or aids sold;

    (4) the address of the principal place of business of the licensee;

    (5) a statement that the aid or aids delivered to the purchaser are new, used or reconditioned, as the case may be;

    (6) the number of the licensee's license;

    (7) the terms of any guarantee or express warranty, if any, made to the purchaser with respect to a hearing aid or hearing aids;

    (8) a statement that any complaint concerning the hearing aid and guarantee therefor, if not reconciled with the licensee from whom the hearing aid was purchased, should be directed by the purchaser to the board, the address and telephone number of which shall be stated on the receipt.

    (9) the following statement, either set forth on the receipt itself or attached to it, in type no smaller than the largest used in the body copy portion:

The purchaser has been advised at the outset of his relationship with the licensee that any examination or representation made by a licensee in connection with the selection, fitting and sale of hearing aids is not an examination, diagnosis, or prescription by a person licensed to practice medicine in this State, or, if the licensee is a hearing aid dispenser, by a licensed audiologist and therefore must not be regarded as medical opinion or as audiological opinion, as the case may be.

    d. Whenever any of the following conditions are found to exist either from observations by the licensee or on the basis of information furnished by the prospective hearing aid user, the licensee shall, prior to selecting, fitting and selling a hearing aid to any individual, suggest to that individual in writing that his best interests would be served if he would consult a licensed physician specializing in diseases of the ear or if no such licensed physician is available in the community, then a duly licensed physician. If, however, the prospective hearing aid user has been referred to the licensee by a licensed physician, the licensee shall, prior to selecting, fitting and selling a hearing aid to that individual, suggest to him in writing that he consult the referring physician. The conditions which shall give rise to the foregoing requirements are:

    (1) visible congenital or traumatic deformity of the ear:

    (2) a history of, or active drainage from the ear within the previous 90 days;

    (3) a history of sudden or rapidly progressive hearing loss within the previous 90 days;

    (4) acute or chronic dizziness;

    (5) unilateral hearing loss of sudden or recent onset within the previous 90 days; or

    (6) significant air-bone gap.

    e. A person receiving the written recommendation to purchase a hearing aid shall sign a receipt for the same.

    f. The licensee shall provide the prospective hearing aid user with a list of at least three physicians specializing in diseases of the ear, practicing in the area, and their addresses or if none are practicing in the area, then a list of at least three physicians and their addresses; provided, however, that this requirement shall not apply if the prospective hearing aid user has already been referred to the licensee by a licensed physician.

    g. No hearing aid shall be sold by a hearing aid dispenser licensed under this act to a person less than 18 years of age unless within the preceding 6 months a recommendation for a hearing aid has been made by a board-certified, or board-eligible physician specializing in otolaryngology, or by a licensed audiologist after examination and diagnosis by a board-certified or board-eligible otolaryngologist. A replacement of an identical hearing aid within one year of original delivery to the hearing aid user shall be an exception to this requirement.

 

    19. (New section) All licenses and permits for the practices of audiology, speech-language pathology and the dispensing of hearing aids used by an authorized board or committee pursuant to any State law prior to the effective date of this act shall be deemed to have been issued by the board and shall remain valid until the expiration of the term for which they were originally issued.

 

    20. Section 1 of P.L.1971, c.60 (C.45:1-2.1) is amended to read as follows:

    1. The provisions of this act shall apply to the following boards and commissions: the New Jersey State Board of Accountancy, the New Jersey State Board of Architects, the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling, the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors, the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry, the State Board of Mortuary Science of New Jersey, the State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, the State Board of Marriage Counselor Examiners, the State Board of Medical Examiners, the New Jersey Board of Nursing, the New Jersey State Board of Optometrists, the State Board of Examiners of Ophthalmic Dispensers and Ophthalmic Technicians, the Board of Pharmacy, the State Board of Professional Planners, the State Board of Psychological Examiners, the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers, the New Jersey Real Estate Commission, the State Board of Shorthand Reporting, the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, the Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners, the Acupuncture Examining Board, the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the State Board of Respiratory Care, the State Real Estate Appraiser Board, the State Board of Social Work Examiners, [and] the State Board of Public Movers and Warehousemen, and the State Board of Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology and Hearing Aid Dispensing.

(cf: P.L.1993, c.365, s.18)

 

    21. Section 1 of P.L.1974, c.46 (C.45:1-3.1) is amended to read as follows:

    1. The provisions of this act shall apply to the following boards and commissions: the New Jersey State Board of Accountancy, the New Jersey State Board of Architects, the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling, the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors, the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry, the State Board of Mortuary Science of New Jersey, the State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, the State Board of Marriage Counselor Examiners, the State Board of Medical Examiners, the New Jersey Board of Nursing, the New Jersey State Board of Optometrists, the State Board of Examiners of Ophthalmic Dispensers and Ophthalmic Technicians, the Board of Pharmacy, the State Board of Professional Planners, the State Board of Psychological Examiners, the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers, the State Board of Shorthand Reporting, the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, the Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners, the Acupuncture Examining Board, the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the State Board of Respiratory Care, the State Real Estate Appraiser Board, [and] the State Board of Social Work Examiners, and the State Board of Audiology, Speech Language Pathology and Hearing Aid Dispensing.

(cf: P.L.1991, c.134, s.17)

 

    22. Section 2 of P.L.1978, c.73 (C.45:1-15) is amended to read as follows:

    2. The provisions of this act shall apply to the following boards and all professions or occupations regulated by or through such boards: the New Jersey State Board of Accountancy, the New Jersey State Board of Architects, the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling, the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors, the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry, the State Board of Mortuary Science of New Jersey, the State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, the State Board of Marriage Counselor Examiners, the State Board of Medical Examiners, the New Jersey Board of Nursing, the New Jersey State Board of Optometrists, the State Board of Examiners of Ophthalmic Dispensers and Ophthalmic Technicians, the Board of Pharmacy, the State Board of Professional Planners, the State Board of Psychological Examiners, the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers, the State Board of Shorthand Reporting, the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, the Acupuncture Examining Board, the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the State Board of Respiratory Care, the State Real Estate Appraiser Board, [and] the State Board of Social Work Examiners, and the State Board of Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology and Hearing Aid Dispensing.

(cf: P.L.1991, c.134, s.14)


    23. P.L.1983, c.420 (C.45:3B-1 et seq.) and P.L.1973, c.19 (C.45:9A-1 et seq.) are repealed.

 

    24. This act shall not affect the orders, rules and regulations promulgated by the director or any authorized board or committee concerning the practices of audiology or speech-language pathology, or the dispensing and fitting of hearing aids, which are consistent with the provisions of this act, but any such orders, rules and regulations shall continue in full force and effect until amended, modified or repealed by the board.

 

    25. This act shall take effect on the 180th day following enactment.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

    This bill creates the State Board of Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology and Hearing Aid Dispensing within the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety. The board shall be responsible for the licensure of audiologists, speech-language pathologists and hearing aid dispensers. The bill sets standards for the licensure and regulation of these professions by the board.

    The bill repeals the existing laws regulating hearing aid dispensers and audiologists and speech-language pathologists, and provides for the regulation of these professions under one board.

    The bill makes the new board and those licensed by it subject to the uniform enforcement, administration and licensing provisions of chapter 1 of Title 45 of the Revised Statutes.

 

 

                               

 

Establishes a State Board of Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology and Hearing Aid Dispensing.