Senate Bill 1056 aims to streamline the licensing process for speech-language pathologists in Wisconsin by amending existing statutes and repealing certain administrative rules. The bill mandates the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to issue a tier II provisional teaching license to individuals who hold a valid speech-language pathology license from the Hearing and Speech Examining Board or a speech-language pathologist compact privilege, provided they pass a background check. This legislation eliminates the tier I license and the requirement for a year of teaching under that license before obtaining a tier II license, thereby simplifying the pathway to licensure.

Additionally, the bill introduces new legal language, specifically creating section 118.19 (7s), which outlines the eligibility criteria for obtaining a speech-language pathologist license. It also includes amendments to sections 115.28 (7) (c) and 118.19 (3) (a) to incorporate the new provisions. Several administrative code sections related to the licensing process are repealed, further clarifying the requirements for applicants. The changes are set to take effect on the day after publication, with initial applicability for applications received by the DPI on that date.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 115.28(7)(c), 115.28, 118.19(3)(a), 118.19