House Bill No. introduced by J. Lynch and others aims to revise the application dates for obtaining a speech-language pathologist or audiologist license in Montana. The bill amends Section 37-15-303 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) by changing the deadline for applicants seeking licensure as speech-language pathology assistants or audiology assistants. Specifically, the previous deadline of January 1, 2024, has been extended to July 15, 2025. Additionally, the bill stipulates that licensure for those qualifying under the new provisions must be retroactive to the date when the board rules establishing equivalency were satisfied.

The bill also emphasizes that the board will define the necessary evidence and conditions for meeting academic experience equivalency. Furthermore, it ensures that the standards set by the board for licensure will be equal to or exceed the national norms. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 37-15-303
HB0384_1(1): 37-15-303
HB0384_1(2): 37-15-303
HB0384_1(3): 37-15-303
HB0384_1: 37-15-303