Bill Text - HB1016 (2022)

Relative to initial licensing as a speech-language pathologist.


Revision: Oct. 29, 2021, 12:45 p.m.

HB 1016-FN - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2022 SESSION

22-2009

11/04

 

HOUSE BILL 1016-FN

 

AN ACT relative to initial licensing as a speech-language pathologist.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. McGuire, Merr. 29; Sen. Reagan, Dist 17

 

COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill modifies the requirements for initial licensure as a speech-language pathologist.

 

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

22-2009

11/04

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Two

 

AN ACT relative to initial licensing as a speech-language pathologist.

 

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

 

1  Speech-Language Pathology Practice; Eligibility for Initial License.  Amend RSA 326-F:3-a, I to read as follows:

326-F:3-a  Speech-Language Specialist Eligibility for Initial Licensure.  

I. The board shall issue a speech-language pathologist license to any person who:

(a) Is currently certified as a speech-language specialist by the department of education, bureau of credentialing, and was certified as of [the effective date of this section] December 31, 2019; [and]

(b) Possesses a bachelor's degree in speech-language pathology, speech and hearing science, or communication sciences and disorders; and

(c)  Possesses a master's degree or higher academic degree [in speech-language pathology, communications sciences and disorders, or communications disorders] a related field including but not limited to special education, early childhood education, learning disabilities, or elementary education.

2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

 

LBA

22-2009

10/7/21

 

HB 1016-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

 

AN ACT relative to initial licensing as a speech language pathologist.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:      [ X ] State              [    ] County               [    ] Local              [    ] None

 

 

 

Estimated Increase / (Decrease)

STATE:

FY 2022

FY 2023

FY 2024

FY 2025

   Appropriation

$0

$0

$0

$0

   Revenue

$0

Indeterminable

Indeterminable

Indeterminable

   Expenditures

$0

Indeterminable

Indeterminable

Indeterminable

Funding Source:

  [ X ] General            [    ] Education            [    ] Highway           [    ] Other

 

 

 

 

 

METHODOLOGY:

This bill makes changes to licensure as a speech language pathologist to permit those with bachelor's degrees in speech language pathology, speech and hearing science, or communication sciences and disorders to qualify for licensure, and those with master's degrees in fields related to speech language pathology to qualify for licensure.  The Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) assumes that modifications to licensure requirements proposed in this bill would increase the number of those who qualify for licenses.  The increase in license applications would impact OPLC's existing resources and may require additional personnel to be added.  However, the fiscal impact is indeterminable to state revenues and expenditures because the number of individuals seeking licensure is unknown.

 

It is assumed any fiscal impact will not occur until after FY 2022.

 

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Office of Professional Licensure and Certification