MN HF2998

Establishes licensure requirements for speech-language pathology assistants effective July 1, 2024, requiring an associate's degree from an accredited program with at least 100 hours of supervised field work, or a bachelor's degree in communication sciences/disorders with a speech-language pathology assistant certificate.

Requires speech-language pathology assistant applicants to submit criminal history background checks from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and FBI, and submit to background studies under chapter 245C.

Specifies that speech-language pathology assistants must work under supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist, with minimum documentation of one hour of consultative supervision every 30 days and specific percentages of direct supervision during the first 90 workdays.

Adds protected titles for speech-language pathology assistants ("speech-language pathology assistant," "SLP assistant," or "SLP asst.") and prohibits use of these titles without licensure.

Increases the advisory council from 12 to 13 members by adding one speech-language pathology assistant, and establishes continuing education requirements of 20 contact hours biennially for speech-language pathology assistants.