West Virginia House Bill HB2328

West Virginia 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/12/25
• Refer: 2/12/25

Caption

Relating to authorizing the Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology to promulgate a legislative rule relating to speech-language pathology and audiology assistants

Summary

House Bill 2328 authorizes the Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology to promulgate a legislative rule governing speech-language pathology and audiology assistants. The bill amends the state code section that approves miscellaneous agency rules, specifically authorizing the rule filed in July 2024, revised to address objections from the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee, and refiled in November 2024. In practical terms, the bill does not create a new licensing board or establish a new program; instead, it gives legal effect to an existing administrative rule so the board can regulate the qualifications, supervision, and practice parameters for speech-language pathology and audiology assistants under state law. The measure is narrowly focused on administrative rule approval and the professional regulation of assistants in these fields.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would amend West Virginia Code §64-9-1 to authorize a specific legislative rule for the Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, thereby making the rule enforceable. The affected parties are speech-language pathology and audiology assistants, the supervising licensed professionals, and the board responsible for oversight and enforcement of practice standards.

Sentiment

The available record suggests generally routine or neutral support for the bill, as it is a standard rule-authorization measure and there are no recorded votes or committee transcripts indicating opposition. The fact that the rule was revised to meet objections from the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee suggests the bill reflects an administrative compromise rather than a contested policy change.

Contention

The only notable point of contention apparent from the bill text is the prior objection from the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee, which required the board to modify and refile the rule before legislative authorization. No other specific disputes, stakeholder objections, or recorded floor debate are available in the provided materials.