Video & Transcript Research : 'speech pathologist'

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NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Chamber Meeting Feb 6th, 2026 at 11:19 am

New Mexico House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Today is New Mexico Speech, Language, and Hearing Association Day. That's NMSHA.
  • They have been the statewide authority in audiology and speech-language pathology for the past 65 years
  • pathologists throughout New Mexico.
  • pathologists and audiologists, and they are wonderful people.
  • Speaker, before you move on: just in standing, in honor of speech and hearing at the legislature, we
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations. (3-3-26)

Licensing & Occupations

Transcript Highlights:
  • And uh, speech pathologist and speech therapist, and one of them happens to be a very close friend of
  • And uh speech pathologist and speech of.
  • And uh speech pathologist and speech therapist<00:13:24.560> and<00:13:24.880> one<00:13
  • > was<00:15:04.000> a when speech language pathologist was a when speech language pathologist
  • they<00:24:06.080> do speech language pathologist if they do speech language pathologist
Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met on March 3, 2026, with a quorum present and first took up Senate Bill 65, sponsored by Senator Steve West. The bill would nullify administrative regulations found deficient by the Administrative Regulations Review Subcommittee. West said the committee had found three deficient regulations this year, including one related to vaping rollout problems and one involving GLP-1 coverage expansion for Medicaid. Senator Berg raised concerns that striking the GLP-1 regulation could limit Kentucky’s ability to use these drugs for weight loss and other health benefits, but the sponsor and others said the action would only block the specific regulation and that doctors could still prescribe GLP-1s under existing Medicaid authority. The committee passed SB 65 with favorable expression, 8-2. The committee then considered Senate Bill 177, sponsored by Senator Rick Girdler, and first adopted a substitute. The bill concerns speech-language pathologist licensure. Testimony from Kate Wood Hall and Ann Blandford of the Kentucky Speech-Language-Hearing Association explained that the substitute would remove the mandatory post-professional graduate experience as a requirement for full licensure, while keeping an interim pathway and preserving an optional compact-related pathway. They said the change responds to updated graduate training standards and federal billing issues, including CMS guidance that had temporarily disrupted reimbursement and access, especially in rural areas. Members asked whether the change would weaken standards or affect compact participation; witnesses said it would not, and that the compact option remained available. The committee also noted that pages two and three of the substitute were missing and staff would restore them. Several senators spoke in favor while explaining reservations. Senator Berg supported the bill and shared a personal story about speech therapy in her family. Senator Douglas also voted aye but expressed concern about reducing requirements for trained professionals and about incentives in professional education. Senator Chambers Armstrong asked whether the opt-in structure would create barriers or affect compact participation, and witnesses said it would not increase costs and that other states, including Virginia and Oregon, were pursuing similar approaches. SB 177, as amended by the substitute, passed with favorable expression.
AR

Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session

TASK FORCE ON AUTISM Jun 4th, 2026

TASK FORCE ON AUTISM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Just out of curiosity, speech pathologists are on this list.
  • Full disclosure, my sister's a speech pathologist.
  • Speech pathology. Speech pathologist, so I agree with the idea.
  • we normally think of speech pathologists doing.
  • we normally think of speech pathologists doing.
Summary: The Arkansas Legislative Autism Task Force approved the April 1, 2026 meeting minutes and then reviewed several vacant membership slots on the task force, including appointments from the Arkansas Psychology Board, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, UAMS, and parent or guardian positions. Members discussed trying to fill those vacancies before the next meeting, and noted that if they remain open they may be addressed in the task force’s legislative report and through possible statutory changes in the next General Assembly. Representatives from the Developmental Disabilities Provider Association (DDPA) and Civitan Services presented on DDPA’s role serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Arkansas. They said DDPA now represents 80 providers serving more than 13,000 individuals in 75 counties, with services including early intervention, adult day programs, supported employment, intermediate care facilities, work activities, and community/residential waiver services. They also shared survey data on older clients and said these services remain available to seniors with IDD, including people with autism. The task force then heard a proposal to amend Act 656 of 2021 to include licensed psychological practitioners as qualified providers for autism waiver-related evaluations. The presenter argued this would reduce wait times, avoid duplicate assessments, and help families access services sooner, while still maintaining quality standards. Members asked about training, licensure, and whether other professionals such as speech-language pathologists or audiologists should be included; Dr. Scott noted that current practice already relies on a two-provider model and that speech-language pathologists play a role because autism diagnosis considers communication, cognitive ability, and language. The discussion also touched on the need for proper testing standards and board oversight. No vote was taken on the amendment, and the meeting ended with plans to return to fraud-related discussion and to begin prioritizing recommendations for the 2027 session before adjourning.
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Health Committee Apr 2nd, 2025

Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • The assistance would still have to work under a full speech language pathologist, and this would create
  • We have a thousand members; they're all speech language pathologists.
  • Number one, as has been pointed out, there are not enough speech language pathologists in Alabama.
  • From 2018 to 2024, the average monthly job postings for speech and language pathologists...
  • For speech and language pathologists in Alabama was 94 last year.
Bills: HB441, HB445, HB477, HB441, HB445
AR

Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session

TASK FORCE ON AUTISM Jun 4th, 2026

TASK FORCE ON AUTISM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Just out of curiosity, speech pathologists are on this list.
  • Full disclosure, my sister's a speech pathologist.
  • So it was before my time when speech pathologist was added, Mr.
  • Speech pathologists, so I agree with the idea. This has been in place for a long time.
  • we normally think of speech pathologists doing.
Keywords: 1204, all
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

TASK FORCE ON AUTISM Jun 4th, 2026

TASK FORCE ON AUTISM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Speech-language pathologist, that's all accepted by schools, insurance.
  • Just out of curiosity, speech pathologists are on this list.
  • Full disclosure, my sister's a speech pathologist.
  • So it was before my time when speech pathologist was added, Mr.
  • Speech pathology... Speech pathologists, so I agree with the idea.
Summary: The Arkansas Legislative Autism Task Force approved the April 1, 2026 meeting minutes and discussed several vacant membership slots, including positions tied to the Arkansas Psychology Board, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, UAMS, and parent or guardian appointments. Members said they would try to fill the vacancies and, if not, include the issue in the legislative report and consider statutory changes in the next General Assembly. The task force then heard from the Developmental Disabilities Provider Association and Civitan Services about DDPA’s role in supporting 80 provider organizations serving more than 13,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across 75 counties. They described services such as early intervention day programs, adult day programs, supported employment, intermediate care facilities, work activities, and community/residential waiver services, and said autism falls within the populations they serve. They also shared survey information on services used by older adults with IDD and offered contact information for providers. Members also heard a proposal to amend Act 656 of 2021 to add licensed psychological practitioners as qualified providers for autism waiver-related evaluations. The presenter argued this would reduce wait times, avoid duplicate assessments, and help families access services sooner, while noting that Arkansas Medicaid already pays for some of these evaluations. Task force members and Dr. Scott discussed the roles of psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and the possibility of using training or board oversight to ensure evaluators are properly qualified, with some noting that speech pathologists’ inclusion has historical and clinical roots. The task force also said it still needs a future discussion on fraud, plans to invite the Attorney General’s office, and wants to identify priorities for the 2027 session before adjourning.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • And I'm a licensed certified speech-language pathologist. Mr.
  • Um, speech-language pathologists and audiologists are critical healthcare providers.
  • a licensed certified speech-language a licensed certified speech-language pathologist.<00:03:56.800
  • Um speech-language<00:04:46.960> pathologists<00:04:47.720> and speech-language pathologists
  • The work of an SLP or speech-language The work of an SLP or speech-language pathologist<00:05:17.040
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 510, which passed with a favorable expression by unanimous roll call vote and then received consent without opposition. The bill’s specific subject was not discussed in the excerpt, but the chair congratulated the sponsor after the vote. House Bill 176, sponsored by Rep. Kim Moser with testimony from Corey Meadows of the Kentucky Medical Association, would create a framework for insurers to offer waiver programs that reduce prior authorization requirements for health care providers. The sponsor said the bill was intended to cut red tape and improve transparency, and noted that the language had been worked out with insurers. The committee voted unanimously to pass the bill with favorable expression and then approved consent. House Bill 266, sponsored by Rep. Peyton Griffee with testimony from Dr. Kelly Ellis of Eastern Kentucky University, would add audiology and speech-language pathology to the credentials eligible for the Kentucky Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund. Supporters said these professions are critical to care across the lifespan and that their education and licensure requirements fit the fund’s purpose of retaining health professionals in Kentucky. The bill passed unanimously with favorable expression and consent, with Sen. Nemes briefly explaining his support based on workforce development experience. House Bill 393, sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Raymer with testimony from McKenzie Wallace of the Alzheimer’s Association, made cleanup changes to the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Council, added a caregiver council slot, and required the council to develop and distribute an early detection and diagnosis toolkit for health care providers. The committee passed the bill unanimously with favorable expression and consent. Sen. Mills explained his yes vote in memory of his father, who had Alzheimer’s disease.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

CAA Public Hearing - Wed Feb 4, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST

Culture & Arts

Summary: The committee on Culture and the Arts heard several measures related to arts funding, administration, and access. Testimony was largely supportive across the agenda. For HB 2218 and HB 1815, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts supported the bills, and members discussed transition timing and administrative support, including the need for an additional year in one measure and a temporary administrative position to help with the transfer. HB 1764, the music accessibility pilot program, drew broad support from the Retail Merchants of Hawaii, Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, Hawaii Public Library System, Hawaii Youth Symphony, and others, with testimony emphasizing library-based music programming, community access, and economic benefits. HB 2117, which would create an arts data mapping task force, also received extensive support, though witnesses suggested narrowing the initial scope, adding representatives from independent and charter schools and neighbor island arts programs, and ensuring adequate funding and a realistic timeline for the work. The committee also heard HB 2436 on arts integration in public schools, HB 2438 on the Hawaii Cultural Trust, and HB 2532 on the Hawaiian flag. HB 2436 and HB 2438 received support from SFCA, while the Cultural Trust bill prompted a lengthy explanation from the chair about how the proposed tax credit would work and amendments to clarify that donations to the trust and to qualifying cultural nonprofits must be made in tandem, with eligible organizations listed and updated annually by SFCA and OHA. HB 2532 drew testimony from Dr. Adam Jansen in support of protecting the Hawaiian flag as a historical and cultural symbol; he said the flag should continue to be used for solidarity, protest, inclusion, and identity. At the decision-making portion, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations on the measures considered. HB 2118, HB 764, HB 1815, and HB 2117 were passed with amendments, including date deferrals and technical changes; HB 764 also had its appropriation blanked out. HB 2436 was passed with amendments, and HB 2438 was advanced with substantial clarifying amendments to the cultural trust structure. The chair indicated that HB 2117 would include an interim report due in 2027 focused on music and dance, with a final report due in 2029 on arts education more broadly.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • . speech.
  • The Florida bill also limited the platform's own free speech. House Bill 20 did not.
  • Speech rights a more distinct reality.
  • In a modern public square, the principles of free speech apply as is necessary to make...
  • and reaffirming the individual right to free speech. ...expression in the digital age.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • At its core, the principle of the negative speech right is simple. The U.S.
  • To those who say that this is a free speech issue, I ask, is true?
  • This bill does not defend free speech; in fact, it defends cruelty.
  • This isn't free speech for all Texans.
  • By protecting only one viewpoint, this bill creates a hierarchy of speech that elevates anti-trans speech
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • pathologist as an example and you speech pathologist as an example and you had<00:37:45.680> a
  • > speech a speech pathologist could order speech a speech pathologist could order speech pathology
  • is, so that when they direct a speech pathologist, whether that speech pathologist is contracted or
  • And the speech pathologist you think?"
  • > the speech pathologist is making the speech pathologist is making the recommendation<01:04:15.359
Keywords: 1189, house, all
Summary: The commission to study special education costs under SB 57 met for its second meeting, with members introducing themselves and reviewing background materials on New Hampshire special education identification rates, NAEP results, and a Wall Street Journal article about the rise in autism diagnoses. The chair explained that the commission is examining special education aid formulas, including how New Hampshire’s current catastrophic aid threshold works and how changes to that threshold might affect school districts, but noted that the needed data on how many students would shift into the aid system at lower thresholds is not yet available. The main testimony came from Henry Litman of HHS on Medicaid reimbursement in schools. He explained that school-based Medicaid funding is tied to health-related services, not all special education services, and that federal rules are changing in state fiscal year 2027. Under the new approach, schools will move away from an in-kind methodology to a certified public expenditure model that may also allow recovery of some overhead costs, such as support staff time. He said the state won a federal grant to help build the new system, hired a vendor, and is setting up training and a help center for districts. Members asked about why Medicaid claims have declined and whether districts are leaving money on the table. Litman said claims are down about 25% from pre-pandemic levels, with declines tied to federal and state rule changes, documentation requirements, provider qualification rules, and the end of temporary pandemic flexibilities. He said some districts adapted better than others depending on local medical-provider access and administrative capacity. He also said the new federal legislation does not directly affect schools, while New Hampshire’s return to pre-pandemic eligibility rules has reduced enrollment somewhat. No votes were taken, and the discussion ended with agreement that the commission needs better data to determine how much special education spending is truly Medicaid-eligible and whether additional legislation is needed.
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 044 Feb 27th, 2026

Colorado Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, these are a professional association of speech-language pathologists and audiologists who specialize
  • pathologists, normally I would be doing this with Senator Buckner, who was a speech pathologist, but
  • how to express himself and communicate, and it is because of the work of the speech pathologists in
  • have continued on but because of speech have continued on but because of speech pathologist<00:50
  • pathologists in his work of the speech pathologists in his life<00:50:41.520> and<00:50:41.760
Keywords: 981, all
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the corrected February 25, 2026 journal, and received a series of committee reports. Those reports advanced several bills, including SB 110, SB 20, SB 115, SB 61, SB 35, SB 26, and SB 3, while SB 24 was postponed indefinitely. The chamber also confirmed or placed on the consent calendar several appointments, including reappointments to the boards of Fort Lewis College and the University of Northern Colorado, and later confirmed appointments to the Clean Fleet Enterprise. The Senate elected Senator Kathy Kip as President Pro Tem by a vote of 21-12. It then took up SJR 013, recognizing Youth Mental Health Action Day, which was adopted 33-0 after remarks emphasizing youth suicide, rural behavioral health needs, and the importance of expanding access to mental health care. The Senate also passed SB 37, allowing local elected judicial officers to set weekend bonds, and SB 84, concerning privileges for certain state entities in connection with the state auditor’s fraud hotline. In the Committee of the Whole, the Senate passed HB 1035 on second reading and HB 1064, concerning modifications to the youthful offender system, after adopting amendment L004. The House bill on youthful offenders was described as clarifying Department of Corrections contracting and helping youth with disabilities participate in YOS programming. The Senate also confirmed appointments to the Institute of Cannabis Research Governing Board. Several items were laid over, including SB 53, SB 43, and SB 21, and the chamber recessed until 11:30 a.m.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Health and Human Services - 03/06/25

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • that of fully licensed speech language pathologists, who pay only $210.
  • <00:03:27.159> language<00:03:27.640> pathologist a licensed speech language pathologist
  • that of fully licensed speech language pathologists, who pay only $210.
  • that of fully licensed speech language pathologists, who pay only $210.
  • that of fully licensed speech language pathologists, who pay only $210.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • It has to say if there's a speech pathologist providing speech services, then yes, they provided what
  • has to it has to say if there's a speech has to it has to say if there's a speech pathologist<00
  • case<01:00:10.640> the speech pathologist in which case the speech pathologist in which case
  • I this much for a speech pathologist.
  • <01:31:08.239> pathologist, we contract with a speech pathologist, we contract with a speech
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The commission held an organizational meeting under SB 57 to study the cost of special education, with the meeting streamed publicly at the chair’s request. Members introduced themselves, and the chair explained that the bill creates two separate pieces, one dealing with SAU structure and the other with a commission on special education costing. He outlined his background in education and special education and said the commission’s work would focus on understanding and controlling special education costs. The commission reviewed its membership requirements and noted several vacancies or unfilled appointments, including the special education advocate, two governor-appointed parent advocates, and a Department of Health and Human Services representative. The members then elected Representative Rick Ladd as chair, Representative Dick Ames as vice chair, and Representative Megan Murray as clerk. Representative Ames briefly described his legal and policy background in disability and special education work in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The chair then walked through the commission’s study topics, including referral rates by IDEA category, reasons for increases in categories such as autism and other health impairment, post-COVID referral trends, pre-referral interventions, Medicaid and 504-related costs, out-of-district placements, dispute resolution, billing practices, privacy, reimbursement, legal services, graduation rates, attendance, and adult learning. Members discussed how special education costs are distributed, noting that the state spends about $977 million annually on special education, with only part covered by state aid and the remainder largely borne by local districts. Testimony also noted that out-of-district placement costs have risen sharply since rate-setting changes around 2018, and that some categories may reflect changes in identification practices, medical factors, or broader population shifts. The commission agreed to continue reviewing the data and formulas in future meetings.