HB1246: relative to speech-language assistants.

CHAPTER 222

HB 1246-FN - FINAL VERSION

9Mar2016... 0290h

04/21/2016 1228s

2016 SESSION

16-2170

10/09

HOUSE BILL 1246-FN

AN ACT relative to speech-language assistants.

SPONSORS: Rep. C. McGuire, Merr. 29; Rep. Kotowski, Merr. 24; Rep. Moffett, Merr. 9; Rep. Saunderson, Merr. 9; Sen. Reagan, Dist 17

COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration

ANALYSIS

This bill exempts certain persons employed as speech language assistants from requirements for certification by the governing board of speech language pathologists.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

9Mar2016... 0290h 16-2170

04/21/2016 1228s 10/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Sixteen

AN ACT relative to speech-language assistants.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

222:1 Speech Language Pathology; Assistants; Exemptions. Amend RSA 326-F:2 to read as follows:

326-F:2 Exemptions.

I. [This chapter and RSA 328-F shall not apply to] The following persons are exempt from the licensure and certification requirements of this chapter and RSA 328-F:

(a) Speech-language specialists who are certified under rules adopted by the board of education pursuant to RSA 21-N:9, II(s), unless they are also licensed under this chapter.

(b) [Speech-language assistants employed by all public schools and schools approved by the department of education.

II. This chapter and RSA 328-F shall not apply to] Speech-language pathology students or their activities as students fulfilling their academic or supervised clinical practicum experience requirements [when their activities are] under the direction and supervision of a speech-language pathologist licensed in this state, provided that the students are designated by a title which clearly indicates their status as students.

(c) Individuals employed at a public school or nonpublic school approved by the department of education who do not act independently but work under the direction and supervision of a speech-language pathologist licensed under this chapter or a speech language specialist certified by the department of education.

II. A person exempt from licensure or certification under this section shall not be exempt from the requirements of RSA 326-F:8.

222:2 New Paragraph; Speech Language Assistants; Identification. Amend RSA 326-F:8 by inserting after paragraph III the following new paragraph:

IV. No person shall represent himself or herself by using the letters "SLA'' or "SLPA," or the words "speech-language assistant," "speech assistant,'' or "speech therapy assistant,'' unless the person is certified by the board pursuant to rules adopted under RSA 326-F:5, VI.

222:3 New Paragraph; Speech-Language Pathologists; Rulemaking. Amend RSA 326-F:5 by inserting after paragraph V the following new paragraph:

V-a. The requirements for direction and supervision of persons whose work is exempted from licensure or certification requirements pursuant to RSA 326-F:2.

222:4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Approved: June 9, 2016

Effective Date: August 8, 2016