Amends the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act. In provisions concerning the educational requirements for licensure as a speech-language pathology assistant, requires, in addition to being of good moral character, that one of the required options is a bachelor's degree in speech-language pathology or communication sciences and disorders from a regionally or nationally accredited institution approved by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation must meet specified requirements with evidence of completion of at least 100 hours of documented field work supervised by a nationally certified and licensed (rather than by a licensed) speech-language pathologist that is comparable to field work completed in a speech-language pathology assistant program in this State. Provides that, in again to the bachelor's degree requirements, the person must complete requirements for national certification as a speech-language pathology assistant. Effective January 1, 2025.
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1: Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Further amends the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act. Specifies that the Act does not prohibit: (i) the performance of speech-language pathology assistant services by graduates who have obtained specified degrees or (ii) the performance of any speech-language pathology service by a speech-language pathology assistant or candidate for licensure as a speech-language pathology assistant (rather than only a speech-language pathology assistant), if such service is performed under the supervision and full responsibility of a licensed speech-language pathologist. Provides that a candidate for speech-language pathology assistant licensure may perform only specified services. Makes changes in provisions concerning the qualifications of speech-language pathology assistants and the curriculum requirements for speech-language pathology assistant programs. Effective January 1, 2025.
House Floor Amendment No. 1: Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Makes changes in provisions concerning the educational qualifications of speech-language pathology assistants. Effective January 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 225 ILCS 110/8
Engrossed: 225 ILCS 110/3, 225 ILCS 110/8
Enrolled: 225 ILCS 110/3, 225 ILCS 110/8
Public Act: 225 ILCS 110/3, 225 ILCS 110/8