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SB 919

Relating to graduation requirements; declaring an emergency.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Daniel Bonham

Broadens practice audiology to include non-surgical screenings, in-office imaging, and payer-mandated tests, while excluding surgery and operation of radiographic equipment.

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · SB 919

Summary — SB 919: Health Occupations — Practice of Audiology — Definition

Status: Withdrawn by sponsor (withdrawn 2025-03-17)
Introduced: January 24, 2025 (Sen. Gile) — Companion: HB 1298 (Del. Martinez)
Effective date in bill text: July 1, 2025 (if enacted)

Purpose / Intent

SB 919 sought to clarify and modestly modernize the statutory definition of “practice audiology” in Maryland law. It expressly (1) broadened the definition to cover the use of “any means known in the science of audiology,” and (2) clarified that certain screenings and in‑office, non‑radiographic imaging/scanning related to auditory or vestibular conditions (or required by federal, State, or third‑party payers) are included within the practice of audiology.

Key provisions

  • Revises the statutory definition of “practice audiology” to state that it means to “use any means known in the science of audiology to” perform enumerated functions.
  • Confirms that practice audiology includes:
    • Evaluating, diagnosing, managing, and treating auditory or vestibular conditions of the human ear.
    • Prescribing, ordering, selling, dispensing, or fitting hearing aids, osseo‑integrated device sound processors, and cochlear implant external sound processors.
    • Conducting health screenings related to auditory or vestibular conditions or required by federal, State, or third‑party payers.
    • Ordering and performing in‑office, non‑radiographic scanning or imaging of the external auditory canal as it relates to auditory or vestibular conditions.
    • Ordering cultures, blood tests, and radiographic imaging as related to auditory/vestibular conditions (ordering only for radiographic imaging; operation/performance of radiographic imaging remains excluded).
  • Reaffirms exclusions: the practice of audiology does not include performing surgery (including osseo‑integrated device or cochlear implant surgery) or preparing/operating radiographic imaging equipment.

Who would be affected

  • Primary: licensed audiologists in Maryland — clarifies allowable scope of practice.
  • Regulatory: State Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech‑Language Pathologists, and Music Therapists (may need to update regulations).
  • Indirectly: patients receiving audiology services, health care providers who coordinate care, and payers (public and private) insofar as the bill references payer‑required screenings.

Fiscal and procedural notes

  • Fiscal note: negligible fiscal impact. The Board can update regulations with existing resources; no anticipated revenue, local government, or small business effects.
  • Legislative action: although introduced and assigned to committee, the sponsor withdrew the bill on March 17, 2025; therefore it did not advance to enactment.

Practical effect if enacted

The changes would clarify that evolving, non‑surgical diagnostic or screening technologies and payer‑mandated screenings fall within the statutory practice of audiology, while preserving explicit boundaries excluding surgery and the operation of radiographic equipment.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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