Senate Bill No. 2115 Summary

• Expands the definition of speech-language pathology to include cognitive-communication, swallowing, and augmentative alternative communication services.

• Increases the Board of Examiners membership from seven to eight members, adding one additional speech-language pathologist position for a total of three speech-language pathologists and two audiologists.

• Raises the quorum requirement from four to five members and increases the maximum number of terms expiring annually from three to four.

• Requires speech-language pathology applicants to hold at least a master's degree and audiologist applicants to hold at least a master's or doctorate degree, with separate eligibility requirements specified for each profession.

• Provides board members with per diem compensation at the legislative management rate under Section 54-35-10 and establishes that audiologists and speech-language pathologists cannot receive compensation from hearing aid sales unless licensed under Chapter 43-33.