The bill amends sections 16807 and 17601 of the Public Health Code, specifically addressing the practice of audiology and speech-language pathology in Michigan. It clarifies that individuals employed by regionally accredited colleges or universities can perform duties related to communication disorders without being licensed as audiologists, provided they do not represent themselves as such. Additionally, it allows individuals employed by the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct hearing screenings and permits certified individuals to engage in hearing screening as part of a hearing conservation program. The language also updates references to the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Furthermore, the bill defines the practice of speech-language pathology, outlining the scope of services that speech-language pathologists can provide, such as assessing and treating communication disorders. It explicitly states that the practice does not include medical diagnosis or treatment, nor the fitting and dispensing of hearing aids, which has been removed from the previous legal language. The enactment of this bill is contingent upon the passage of House Bill No. 4883.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 333.16807, 333.17601