HB 1181 Summary

• Creates the State Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology as an independent board with seven members (three speech-language pathologists, two audiologists, one public representative, and one physician) to license and regulate these professions instead of the State Board of Health.

• Establishes the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Licensing Fund to collect and manage all fees and revenues from licensure, with funds used solely for board operations and administration.

• Changes the titles of "speech-language pathology aides" and "audiology aides" to "assistants" throughout the chapter, with the board establishing minimum qualifications less stringent than full licensure.

• Requires persons working as audiologists, audiology assistants, speech-language pathologists, or speech-language pathology assistants in Mississippi public schools to obtain professional licenses from the new board in addition to teacher licenses.

• Effective July 1, 2020.