Revision: April 19, 2022, 12:55 p.m.
CHAPTER 21
HB 1016-FN - FINAL VERSION
16Feb2022... 0091h
17Mar2022... 1228EBA
2022 SESSION
22-2009
11/04
HOUSE BILL 1016-FN
AN ACT relative to licensing of speech-language specialists.
SPONSORS: Rep. McGuire, Merr. 29; Sen. Reagan, Dist 17
COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill provides that any person practicing speech-language pathology within certain educational settings must be licensed as a speech-language pathologist. The bill also eliminates certification of speech-language specialists by the department of education. The bill provides that any person currently certified as a speech-language specialist by the department of education may continue to practice in such capacity.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
16Feb2022... 0091h
17Mar2022... 1228EBA 22-2009
11/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Two
AN ACT relative to licensing of speech-language specialists.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
21:1 New Paragraph; Speech-Language Pathology; Eligibility for Initial Licensure. Amend RSA 326-F:3 by inserting after paragraph III the following new paragraph:
IV.(a) As of July 1, 2022, to be eligible to practice speech-language pathology in a public school system, state-approved nonpublic school for children with disabilities, chartered educational institution of the state, or the state department of education, applicants shall be licensed as speech-language pathologists in accordance with this chapter.
(b) Notwithstanding subparagraph (a), any person practicing speech-language pathology as a speech-language specialist certified by the department of education prior to July 1, 2022 shall be eligible to continue practicing as a speech-language specialist so long as such person practices continuously after July 1, 2022 in a public school system, state-approved nonpublic school for children with disabilities, chartered public educational institution of the state, or the state department of education. Such persons shall not be eligible to participate in the audiology and speech-language pathology interstate compact established in RSA 326-F:17.
21:2 Department of Education; Rulemaking. Amend RSA 21-N:9, II(s) to read as follows:
(s) License standards for educational personnel, to include the establishment and implementation of a secure system for conducting criminal background checks pursuant to RSA 189:13-a for all first-time applicants listed in this section, the establishment and implementation of a secure system for accessing findings of abuse for individuals on the central registry pursuant to RSA 169-C:35, and educator certification fees for granting licenses to educational personnel, including teachers, paraprofessionals, superintendents, assistant superintendents, special education administrators, business administrators, principals, vocational directors, coordinators of comprehensive health education and services, directors of pupil personnel services, guidance directors, guidance counselors, school psychologists, associate school psychologists, [speech-language specialists,] social workers, health educators, physical education teachers, consumer and family science teachers, elementary teachers, specialists in assessment of intellectual functioning, school bus drivers and transportation monitors, media supervisors, media generalists, and master teachers as authorized by RSA 186:8 and RSA 186:11, X, professional licenses including beginning educator licenses, experienced educator licenses, and intern authorizations, and other classifications of educators, administrators, specialists, and paraprofessionals necessary to address educational needs as determined by the state board upon the recommendation of the professional standards board pursuant to RSA 186:60.
21:3 Repeal. The following are repealed:
II. RSA 189:14-e, relative to certification of speech-language specialists.
III. RSA 326-F:2, I(a), relative to the exemption of speech-language specialists from certain statutory requirements.
IV. RSA 326-F:3-a, relative to the eligibility requirements for speech-language specialists to become licensed speech-language pathologists.
21:4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Approved: April 18, 2022
Effective Date: June 17, 2022