Provides relative to the practice of audiology and speech-language pathology
HB 442 revises Louisiana’s laws governing audiology and speech-language pathology. It updates statutory definitions for “audiologist,” “licensed audiologist,” and the “practice of audiology,” and adds new definitions for the American Board of Audiology (ABA), the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), over-the-counter hearing aids, personal sound amplification products, prescription hearing aids, and telehealth/telepractice. The bill also clarifies that audiologists may perform a range of tasks related to hearing evaluation, cerumen management, amplification, earmolds, hearing-aid fitting and dispensing, and limited speech-language screening for referral purposes.
The bill changes licensure standards and waiver provisions for applicants. It preserves and restates the board’s authority to evaluate “good moral character,” including consideration of felony history under applicable law, and it modifies reciprocity/waiver language so the board may waive certain requirements for applicants certified by ABA who have completed the national examination requirement. It also updates disciplinary language to confirm the board may impose restitution of enforcement costs and expenses, excluding attorney fees. The Louisiana State Law Institute is directed to alphabetize and renumber the definitions and correct cross-references.
HB 442’s practical impact is to modernize the professional licensing framework for audiology and speech-language pathology, especially in light of newer hearing-device categories and telehealth delivery. It affects licensed audiologists, speech-language pathologists, speech-language pathology assistants, hearing-aid dispensers, out-of-state telehealth practitioners, and applicants seeking licensure or waivers. It also clarifies when telepractice constitutes the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology and when Louisiana licensure or telehealth registration is required.
The overall sentiment around the bill appears strongly positive and noncontroversial. The recorded votes were unanimous in both chambers, with 96-0 in the House on final passage, 39-0 in the Senate on final passage, and 91-0 in the House concurrence vote. No committee transcript objections are provided, and the vote history suggests broad bipartisan support for the bill’s technical and regulatory updates.
Notable points of contention are minimal in the available record. The main policy issues embedded in the bill are the scope of audiology practice, the treatment of telehealth/telepractice, and the licensure implications of newer hearing-device categories such as over-the-counter hearing aids and personal sound amplification products. The bill also touches on criminal-history review through the “good moral character” standard and on waiver authority for applicants certified by ABA, but there is no evidence in the provided materials of organized opposition to those provisions.
HB 442 amends Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 37, Chapter 26, governing audiology and speech-language pathology, by revising definitions, licensure qualifications, waiver authority, and disciplinary provisions. It adds statutory definitions for ABA, ASHA, over-the-counter hearing aids, personal sound amplification products, prescription hearing aids, and telehealth/telepractice, while repealing two existing definitional provisions and directing the Louisiana State Law Institute to renumber and cross-reference the definitions. The bill affects the Louisiana Board of Examiners for audiologists and speech-language pathologists, licensed professionals, applicants, and out-of-state practitioners providing services by telehealth.
The bill appears to have received broad, unanimous support throughout the legislative process. Final passage votes in both chambers were 96-0 in the House and 39-0 in the Senate, followed by a 91-0 House concurrence vote on Senate amendments. With no committee transcript opposition available, the overall sentiment is best characterized as favorable and largely technical, focused on updating professional practice rules rather than advancing a controversial policy change.
The main areas that could have prompted debate were the expansion and clarification of audiology practice, especially around hearing-aid fitting and dispensing, telehealth/telepractice, and the relationship between licensed professionals and newer device categories such as over-the-counter hearing aids and personal sound amplification products. The bill also preserves a broad “good moral character” licensure standard and adjusts waiver language for ABA-certified applicants, which could raise questions about licensing discretion and equivalency standards. However, the available record shows no recorded opposition or substantive contention in committee or floor votes.