Summary — HB 25‑1075: Regulate Speech‑Language Pathology Assistants
Status: Governor Signed (May 5, 2025)
Introduced: January 8, 2025
Primary sponsors: Jacque Phillips; Barbara Kirkmeyer; Lori Garcia Sander; Kyle Mullica
Cosponsors: M. Lindsay, A. Boesenecker, D. Michaelson Jenet, J. Bacon, I. Jodeh, L. Cutter, A. Hartsook, J. Amabile, M. Froelich, B. Marshall, E. Velasco, E. Hamrick, M. Duran, W. Lindstedt, J. Coleman, R. Stewart, K. Stewart
Note: The full bill text was not provided. This summary describes the bill’s purpose and the types of provisions typically included under the title “Regulate Speech‑Language Pathology Assistants,” based on the bill’s status and legislative history.
Purpose
HB 25‑1075 establishes a regulatory framework for speech‑language pathology assistants (SLP‑As). The bill’s intent is to define SLP‑A roles, set education/registration and supervision requirements, and create standards to ensure safe, effective delegation of speech‑language pathology services while expanding access to care.
Key provisions (expected / typical)
The bill is likely to include the following substantive elements:
Definitions
- Clarifies terms such as “speech‑language pathologist,” “speech‑language pathology assistant,” “supervision,” and “delegable tasks.”
Registration / Credentialing
- Requires SLP‑As to register or obtain a limited credential with the state licensing board (or the relevant professional regulatory body) prior to practice.
Education / Training Requirements
- Specifies minimum qualifications (e.g., associate degree or coursework, supervised clinical practicum hours, or a competency‑based training program).
- May require documentation of completion of approved training programs.
Scope of Practice and Delegation
- Identifies tasks SLP‑As may perform under supervision (e.g., implementing treatment plans, collecting data, assisting with screenings).
- Prohibits independent practice and reserves assessment, diagnosis, and treatment plan development to licensed speech‑language pathologists (SLPs).
Supervision Requirements
- Establishes level and frequency of supervision (direct/indirect), documentation requirements, and responsibilities of supervising SLPs.
- May set supervision ratios or limits on the number of SLP‑As supervised by one SLP.
Recordkeeping, Professional Conduct, and Reporting
- Requires documentation standards, adherence to confidentiality and ethics rules, and mandatory reporting of unprofessional conduct.
Enforcement and Discipline
- Grants authority to the licensing board to investigate complaints, impose sanctions, suspend or revoke registration, and adopt rules.
Transition and Implementation
- Directs the licensing board to promulgate rules and may set an effective date for registration requirements.
Who is affected
- Speech‑language pathology assistants: new or clarified credentialing, training, supervision, and practice limits.
- Licensed speech‑language pathologists: supervisory responsibilities, documentation, and possible changes to productivity or liability.
- Employers and institutions: schools, clinics, hospitals and other facilities must adjust hiring, supervision policies, and compliance procedures.
- Patients and families: potential increase in access to services and changes to who delivers aspects of therapy.
- Regulatory agencies: licensing board responsible for rulemaking, registration, and enforcement.
Legislative timeline and action
- Introduced in House: January 8, 2025; assigned to Business Affairs & Labor
- Passed House: February 4, 2025
- Considered and amended in Senate committees: Feb–Mar 2025
- Passed both chambers and enrolled: April 29, 2025
- Sent to Governor: April 30, 2025
- Governor signed: May 5, 2025
Potential impacts
- Access: May increase workforce capacity by enabling assistants to provide delegated services under supervision.
- Cost & Efficiency: Could lower service delivery costs but may require employer investments in training and supervision.
- Quality & Safety: Establishing standards aims to protect patients while allowing team‑based care.
- Administrative burden: Licensing and supervision requirements will create compliance duties for providers and employers.
Next steps / Implementation
- The responsible licensing board will likely need to adopt rules specifying credentialing processes, supervision standards, and enforcement procedures. Check the enacted statute or administrative rules for specific requirements, timelines, effective dates, and any numeric limits (ratios, hours) that were finalized in the bill text or implementing regulations.
