HB0139 Treadway, Joseph L

P R E F I L E D

HB 139 -- Professional Licensing

Along with various technical changes this bill:

(1) Changes the name of the Advisory Commission for Professional Speech Pathologists and Clinical Audiologists to the Advisory Commission for Professional Speech-Language Pathologists and Clinical Audiologists;

(2) Defines audiology and speech-language pathology. Audiology is defined as the application of principles, methods and procedures related to hearing and the disorders of hearing and to related language and speech disorders. Speech-language pathology is the application of principles, methods and procedures related to the development and disorders of human communication;

(3) Requires that any rule-making authority order established by the commission not become effective until it has been approved by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. The commission cannot file any final order of rule making until at least twenty days after the rule has been received by the joint committee;

(4) Contains provisions regarding application, conditions for renewal, fees, continuing education, grace periods, suspension and revocation, fraud and misrepresentation and the injunctive powers of the advisory commission;

(5) Increases the members of the advisory commission from 5 to 7;

(6) Changes the name of the Advisory Council for Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters to the Missouri Board of Examiners for Hearing Instrument Specialists. The board will advise and make recommendations to the Division of Professional Registration on matters regarding licensure, renewal, reciprocation, suspension, revocation, fees and continuing education for hearing instrument specialists. It is the duty of the division to maintain the offices of the board, keep records, issue permits and licenses, and make rules regarding all persons licensed as hearing instrument specialists in this state; and

(7) Creates the Missouri Consumer Protection Fund within the state treasury. All fees collected by the board will be placed into the fund to pay for the administration of the board and its offices.