The bill proposes a comprehensive overhaul of the existing regulations governing speech-language pathology and audiology in Rhode Island by repealing Chapter 5-48 in its entirety and introducing new sections that clarify the purpose, definitions, and responsibilities of the Board of Examiners for these professions. It emphasizes the importance of public health and safety in regulating practice and outlines the qualifications and duties of board members.

The new legislation establishes specific licensure requirements for speech-language pathologists and audiologists, including educational standards, supervised clinical experiences, and passing a national examination. It also introduces a provisional license for clinical fellows and sets forth continuing education requirements, as well as grounds for license suspension or revocation.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the roles of various professionals within the field, such as audiology support personnel and speech-language pathology assistants, while expanding the definitions of the practices involved. It allows for inactive status for practitioners not actively practicing, streamlining the renewal process for licenses, and enhancing the authority of the Board of Examiners to enforce compliance with professional standards.

The bill grants the director of the department of health the power to remove board members for misconduct and empowers the board to issue subpoenas and conduct hearings. Overall, the legislation aims to modernize and strengthen the regulatory framework for speech-language pathology and audiology, ensuring that practitioners meet current professional standards and that public health and safety are prioritized.

Statutes affected:
2857: 5-48.2-2