|
Senate Bill 312 |
Senate Author: Hegar |
|
Effective: 9-1-13 |
House Sponsor: Laubenberg |
Senate Bill 312 amends provisions of the Occupations Code relating to the regulation of speech-language pathology and audiology and the fitting of hearing instruments. Among other provisions, the bill requires the State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and the State Committee of Examiners in the Fitting and Dispensing of Hearing Instruments, with the assistance of the Department of State Health Services, to jointly adopt rules to establish requirements for the fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments by the use of telepractice and authorizes the board and committee to adopt rules to provide for the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology and the fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments, as applicable, by the use of telepractice.
Senate Bill 312 removes a provision requiring that minimum coursework in audiology or speech-language pathology be completed by applicants based on the type of license and requiring the board to notify each examinee of the results of a license examination administered by the board. The bill provides for issuance of a license to a military spouse who meets certain practice and education requirements and authorizes the board by rule to establish a procedure to issue an audiologist license to a person who meets certain application and education requirements and who was licensed as an audiologist in Texas between September 1, 2007, and September 1, 2011. The bill repeals statutory provisions relating to the issuance of a temporary license, the issuance of a limited license to practice as a fully licensed speech-language pathologist in public schools, and the provision of information regarding continuing education requirements to license applicants and license holders.