Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of audiologists and speech-language pathologists in this State by the Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensing Board. (Chapter 637B of NRS) Section 1 of this bill enacts the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact, which allows a person who is licensed as an audiologist or speech-language pathologist in a state that is a member of the Compact to practice as an audiologist or speech-language pathologist in other states that are members of the Compact. In order to practice as an audiologist or speech-language pathologist under the Compact, the Compact requires an audiologist or speech-language pathologist to: (1) hold a license in his or her home state; (2) have no encumbrances on his or her license; (3) meet certain other requirements for eligibility; (4) have had no adverse actions taken against any license or authority to practice under the Compact within the previous 2 years; (5) notify the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Compact Commission, a joint public body established by the Compact, that he or she is seeking to practice under the Compact in another state; (6) pay any applicable fees; and (7) report any adverse action taken against him or her within 30 days after the date the adverse action is taken. The Compact additionally requires a member state to recognize the right of an audiologist or speech-language pathologist who is licensed by any member state to practice audiology or speech-language pathology, as applicable, through telehealth in any member state under conditions prescribed by the Commission. The Compact also: (1) authorizes a member state to take adverse action against an audiologist or speech-language pathologist who is practicing in the member state under the Compact; (2) authorizes the Commission to levy and collect assessments from member states to cover the cost of its operations; and (3) creates a data system to facilitate the sharing of certain information among member states. With certain exceptions, existing law makes a complaint filed with the Board and certain other documents and information related to such a complaint confidential. (NRS 637B.288) Section 2 of this bill creates an exception to this provision to, in general, authorize the Board to disclose such information to the data system created by section 1 when required by the Compact. Section 4 of this bill provides for the confidentiality of certain information disclosed through the data system. Section 3 of this bill deems practicing as an audiologist or speech-language pathologist in this State under the Compact to be equivalent to practicing under a license issued by the Board, thereby providing such persons with the same authority, duties and legal protections as a licensee.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 637B.288, 239.010
BDR: 637B.288, 239.010