Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

SB 523
                      Department of Legislative Services
                              Maryland General Assembly
                                    2021 Session
                           FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
                                Enrolled - Revised
Senate Bill 523               (Senator Lam)(By Request - State Board of Examiners
                              for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, and Speech-
                              Language Pathologists)
Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs        Health and Government Operations
  State Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, and Speech–
   Language Pathologists – Duties, Appointment of Members, and Requirements
                                   for Licensees
This bill (1) alters provisions regarding the nomination of members of the State Board of
Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, and Speech-Language Pathologists;
(2) specifies how a licensee of the board must represent themselves to the public and notify
the board of a change in contact information; (3) requires the board to maintain an
electronic list of licensees; (4) includes the board in provisions relating to information
about courses in cultural and linguistic competency; and (5) makes other technical and
clarifying changes. The bill takes effect July 1, 2021.
                                    Fiscal Summary
State Effect: The bill does not materially affect State operations or finances.
Local Effect: None.
Small Business Effect: None.
                                         Analysis
Bill Summary:
Nomination of Board Members
The bill removes provisions requiring the Maryland Academy of Audiology and the
Maryland Speech-Language and Hearing Association to submit a list of potential board
members to the Secretary of Health and the Governor and conduct a balloting process by
which every licensed audiologist in the State is eligible to vote on the names of licensed
audiologists submitted to the Secretary and the Governor. Instead, a list of potential
nominees for both licensed speech-language pathologists and audiologists must be
submitted to the Secretary and the Governor by the board. For each speech-language
pathologist board vacancy, the board must notify all licensed speech-language pathologists
in the State to solicit nominations. For each audiologist vacancy, the board must notify all
licensed audiologists in the State to solicit nominations.
The bill also removes provisions requiring the Maryland Department of Disabilities to
solicit nominees for consumer members. Instead, the board and the Secretary may solicit
applications for such vacancies from the general public. The board and the Secretary may
notify organizations representing patients or family members of patients served by
individuals licensed by the board of a vacancy for a consumer member and the
organizations may submit recommendations for a consumer member.
Licensee Requirements
A licensee must identify and represent themselves to the public by (1) the profession for
which the licensee holds a license; (2) the degree earned to obtain the license; and (3) the
name on the license. A licensee must include their license number on work-related
documentation, including written client reports and, if applicable, audiograms. A licensee
must notify the board in writing of a change of mailing address, e-mail address, or
phone number within 30 days after the change.
Electronic List of Licensees
The board must maintain an electronic list of each individual licensed by the board. An
individual may contact the board to verify an individual’s license.
Cultural and Linguistic Competency Courses
The bill adds the board to the list of health occupations boards to which the Office of
Minority Health and Health Disparities must provide a list of recommended courses in
cultural and linguistic competency, health disparities, and health literacy. The board must
provide its licensees with information about the recommended courses at the time of license
renewal and advertise the availability of recommended courses in any media published by
the board.
Current Law: Generally, an individual must be licensed by board to provide hearing aid
services, practice audiology, or practice speech-language pathology in Maryland.
SB 523/ Page 2
The board comprises 13 members: (1) 3 licensed audiologists; (2) 3 licensed
speech-language pathologists; (3) 2 physicians; (4) 2 consumer members; and
(5) 3 licensed hearing aid dispensers. Professional members are appointed by the
Governor, with the advice of the Secretary; consumer members are appointed with the
advice of the Secretary and the advice and consent of the Senate. The Maryland Department
of Disabilities must solicit nominees for consumer members of the board from associations
representing hearing or communication impaired individuals in the State and submit a list
to the Governor. Several professional associations currently submit nominations for board
members, including the Maryland Society of Otolaryngology, the Maryland
Speech-Language and Hearing Association, the Maryland Academy of Audiology, and the
Hearing Society of Maryland, Washington, DC, and Delaware.
A licensee must identify and represent themselves by profession and degree earned, and
display their license conspicuously in their office or place of employment. If a licensee has
more than one place of business, they must notify the board of which address to send
notices and other correspondence. Within 30 days after a change of address, a licensee must
notify the board of the change of address.
                                Additional Information
Prior Introductions: None.
Designated Cross File:       HB 600 (Delegate Belcastro) - Health and Government
Operations.
Information Source(s): Maryland Department of Disabilities; Maryland Department of
Health; Department of Legislative Services
Fiscal Note History:      First Reader - February 15, 2021
an/jc                     Third Reader - March 23, 2021
                                 Revised - Amendment(s) - March 23, 2021
                          Enrolled - May 5, 2021
                                 Revised - Amendment(s) - May 5, 2021
Analysis by: Amberly Holcomb                            Direct Inquiries to:
                                                        (410) 946-5510
                                                        (301) 970-5510
SB 523/ Page 3
Statutes affected: 
Text - First - State Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, and Speech–Language Pathologists – Duties, Appointment of Members, and Requirements for Licensees: 1-801 Health Occupations, 1-802 Health Occupations, 2-202 Health Occupations, 2-302.1 Health Occupations, 2-302.2 Health Occupations, 2-305 Health Occupations, 2-307.4 Health Occupations, 2-311 Health Occupations
Text - Third - State Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, and Speech–Language Pathologists – Duties, Appointment of Members, and Requirements for Licensees: 1-801 Health Occupations, 1-802 Health Occupations, 2-202 Health Occupations, 2-302.1 Health Occupations, 2-302.2 Health Occupations, 2-305 Health Occupations, 2-307.4 Health Occupations, 2-311 Health Occupations
Text - Enrolled - State Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, and Speech–Language Pathologists – Duties, Appointment of Members, and Requirements for Licensees: 1-801 Health Occupations, 1-802 Health Occupations, 2-202 Health Occupations, 2-302.1 Health Occupations, 2-302.2 Health Occupations, 2-305 Health Occupations, 2-307.4 Health Occupations, 2-311 Health Occupations