House Bill 12-1303 Summary

• Creates new Article 43.5 in Title 12 to regulate speech-language pathologists by the Department of Regulatory Agencies' Division of Registrations, effective July 1, 2013.

• Requires certification for all speech-language pathologists except school-based pathologists paid solely by administrative units or state-operated programs.

• Establishes certification requirements including a master's or higher degree in communication sciences and disorders, approved clinical fellowship, and passing the national examination.

• Authorizes the Director to discipline certificate holders for grounds including sexual conduct with clients, fraud, substance abuse, unsafe practice, and failure to maintain professional liability insurance.

• Appropriates $111,148 and 1.1 FTE for fiscal year 2012-2013 to implement the certification program and establish related rules.