Source: http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=hb2531%20intr.htm&yr=2013&sesstype=RS&i=2531
Timestamp: 2017-11-21 14:07:23
Document Index: 86212527

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HB 2531 Text
Introduced Version House Bill 2531 History
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hb2531 intr
H. B. 2531
(By Delegates Morgan, Stephens, Paxton, Hartman, Ferns, Howell, Folk, Smith, R., Faircloth, Arvon and Nelson, J.)
[Introduced February 19, 2013; referred to the
A BILL to repeal §30-32-23 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §30-32-1, §30-32-2, §30-32- 3, §30-32-4, §30-32-5, §30-32-6, §30-32-7, §30-32-8, §30-32-9, §30-32-10, §30-32-11, §30-32-12, §30-32-13, §30-32-14, §30-32- 15, §30-32-16, §30-32-17, §30-32-18, §30-32-19, §30-32-20 and §30-32-21 of said code, all relating to the practice of speech-language pathology and audiology; prohibiting practice without a license; providing exemptions; specifying applicability of other law; providing definitions; continuing the board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology; specifying qualifications of board members; providing terms and conditions of board members' service; providing for election of board officers; providing for compensation and expense reimbursement of board members; setting forth powers and duties of the board; providing rule- making authority; continuing the board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Fund; providing qualifications for practicing speech-language pathology or audiology; providing for provisional licenses to practice while attaining required postgraduate professional experience; providing for waiver of requirements for persons who hold a license from another state with substantially equivalent standards; providing for practice pending disposition of application; requiring a license to practice in public schools; providing requirements for attaining a license to practice in public schools; providing scopes of practice for speech-language pathology and audiology; requiring speech- language pathology assistants and audiology assistants to register with the board; providing registration and supervision requirements for speech-language pathology assistants and audiology assistants; requiring a license to telepractice; providing conditions and requirements for telepractice; providing for renewal of licenses and registrations; providing for renewal of lapsed licenses and registrations; providing for the suspension, revocation and refusal to renew licenses and registrations; providing for the reinstatement of revoked licenses and registrations; authorizing actions to enjoin violations; providing for the investigation of complaints; setting forth complaint procedures and hearing procedures; establishing grounds for disciplinary actions; providing for rights of appeal and judicial review; providing that a single act is sufficient to justify disciplinary action; providing for criminal proceedings; and providing for criminal penalties.
That §30-32-23 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be repealed; and that §30-32-1, §30-32-2, §30-32-3, §30-32-4, §30- 32-5, §30-32-6, §30-32-7, §30-32-8, §30-32-9, §30-32-10, §30-32-11, §30-32-12, §30-32-13, §30-32-14, §30-32-15, §30-32-16, §30-32-17, §30-32-18, §30-32-19, §30-32-20 and §30-32-21 of said code be amended and reenacted, all to read as follows:
ARTICLE 32. SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS AND AUDIOLOGISTS.
§30-32-1. Unlawful acts; persons and practices not affected.
_____(a) It is unlawful for any person to practice or offer to practice speech-language pathology or audiology in this state without a license issued under the provisions of this article, or advertise or use any title or description tending to convey the impression that the person is a speech-language pathologist or audiologist unless the person has been licensed under the provisions of this article, and the license has not expired, been suspended or revoked.
_____(b) No business entity, except through a licensee, may render any service or engage in any activity which if rendered or engaged in by an individual, would constitute the practices licensed under the provisions of this article.
_____(c) As of July 1, 2014, speech-language pathologists and audiologists employed or contracted by the West Virginia Board of Education, a county board of education or a regional education service agency are required to be licensed under the provisions of this article.
_____(d) As of July 1, 2014, speech-language pathology assistants and audiology assistants employed or contracted by the West Virginia Board of Education, a county board of education or a regional education service agency are required to be registered with the board under the provisions of this article.
_____(e) Nothing in this article prevents or restricts:
_____(1) Any person licensed or registered under any other law of this state from practicing the profession and performing services for which he or she is licensed or registered;
_____(2) A physician or surgeon licensed by this state while engaging in the profession for which he or she is licensed;
_____(3) A trained individual providing hearing testing or balance system assessment under the direct supervision of a licensed physician or surgeon;
_____(4) A person credentialed by this state as a teacher of the deaf;
_____(5) The activities and services of persons pursuing a course of study leading to a degree in speech-language pathology or audiology at a college or university, if:
_____(A) These activities and services constitute a part of a planned course of study at that institution;
_____(B) They are designated by a title such as intern, trainee, student or by other title clearly indicating the status appropriate to their level of education; and
_____(C) They work under the supervision of a person licensed by this state to practice speech-language pathology or audiology;
_____(6) The activities of persons who are nonresidents of this state from engaging in the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology if the activities of the persons do not exceed five days in any calendar year and they:
_____(A) Meet the qualifications of this article;
_____(B) Register with the board in accordance with procedures specified in its rules; and
_____(C) Abide by the standards of professional conduct contained in this article and rules promulgated by the board;
_____(7) The practices and procedures of qualified licensed hearing aid dealers engaged solely in the practice of dealing in or fitting of hearing aids under article twenty-six of this chapter; or
_____(8) The activity of occupational hearing conservationists engaged in hearing testing as part of a hearing conservation program in compliance with regulations of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
_____(f) A person licensed under this article as an audiologist is not required to obtain a license under the provisions of article twenty-six of this chapter.
§30-32-2. General provisions.
_____The practices licensed under the provisions of this article and the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology are subject to the provisions of article one of this chapter, the provisions of this article and any rules promulgated hereunder.
§30-32-3. Definitions.
_____The following terms have the following meanings:
_____(1) "Applicant" means a person applying for a license required by this article.
_____(2) "Assistant" means a speech-language pathology assistant or an audiology assistant as further defined in this section and who is registered with the board in accordance with the provisions of this article and legislative rule.
_____(3) "Audiologist" means a person who engages in the practice of audiology and who is licensed pursuant to the provisions of this article.
_____(4) "Audiology" means the application of principles, methods, and procedures related to hearing and the disorders of hearing and to related language and speech disorders.
_____(5) "Audiology disorders" means any and all conditions, whether of organic or nonorganic origin, peripheral or central, that impede the normal process of human communication including, but not limited to, disorders of auditory sensitivity, acuity, function or processing.
_____(6) "Audiology assistant" means a person who practices under the direction and supervision of an audiologist licensed under this article and who is registered with the board in accordance with this article and legislative rule.
_____(7) "Board" means the West Virginia Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.
_____(8) "Business entity" means any firm, partnership, association, company, corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company or other entity doing business in the State of West Virginia.
_____(9) "Direct supervision" means the actual physical presence of a supervising licensed speech-language pathologist or supervising licensed audiologist in the room where treatment is provided by an assistant.
_____(10) "General supervision" means initial direction and periodic inspection of the activities of an assistant by the supervising licensed speech-language pathologist or supervising licensed audiologist, who is physically present in the building where treatment is provided and is quickly and easily available.
_____(11) "Initial supervision training" means training required of supervising licensed speech-language pathologists and supervising licensed audiologists before providing supervision of assistants, as further defined by legislative rule.
_____(12) "Instruction" means:
_____(A) Providing speech-language pathology or audiology services in infant/toddler, preschool, elementary or secondary school programs; or
_____(B) Teaching students in institutions of higher education.
_____(13) "Level I license" means a license to practice exclusively in public schools issued pursuant to the provisions of section eleven of this article.
_____(14) "License" means a license issued pursuant to the provisions of this article.
_____(15) "Licensee" means a person who is licensed pursuant to the provisions of this article.
_____(16) "Provisional license" means a license issued pursuant to the provisions of section nine of this article.
_____(17) "Registrant" means an assistant who is registered pursuant to the provisions of this article.
_____(18) "Registration" means a registration issued pursuant to the provisions of this article.
_____(19) "Speech-language pathologist" means any person who engages in the practice of speech-language pathology and who is licensed pursuant to the provisions of this article.
_____(20) "Speech-language pathology" means the application of principles, methods and procedures related to the development, disorders and effectiveness of human communication and related functions.
_____(21) "Speech-language pathology assistant" means a person who practices under the direction and supervision of a speech-language pathologist licensed under this article and who is registered with the board in accordance with this article and legislative rule.
_____(22) "Speech-language pathology disorders" means conditions, whether of organic or nonorganic origin, that impede the normal process of human communication including, but not limited to, disorders and related disorders of speech, articulation, fluency, voice, verbal and written language, Auditory comprehension, cognition/communication, and oral, pharyngeal and/or laryngeal sensorimotor competencies.
_____(23) "Telepractice" means the application of telecommunication technology to deliver speech-language pathology or audiology services through real time interaction from one site to another for assessment, intervention or consultation in a manner sufficient to ensure patient confidentiality.
§30-32-4. Board of Examiners for Speech-language Pathology and Audiology.
_____(a) The West Virginia Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology is continued. The members of the board in office on July 1, 2013 may, unless sooner removed, continue to serve until their respective terms expire or until their successors have been appointed and qualified.
_____(b) The Governor shall appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate:
_____(1) Two persons who are speech-language pathologists;
_____(2) Two persons who are audiologists; and
_____(3) One citizen member who is not licensed under this article.
_____(c) The terms are for three years. No member may serve for more than two consecutive terms.
_____(d) Each licensed member of the board, at the time of his or her appointment, must have held a license in this state for at least three years;
_____(e) Each member of the board must be a resident of this state during the appointment term.
_____(f) No board member may serve as an officer of the West Virginia Speech Language and Hearing Association concurrently with his or her service on the board.
_____(h) The Governor may remove any member from the board for neglect of duty, incompetency or official misconduct.
_____(i) A licensed member of the board immediately and automatically forfeits membership to the board if his or her license or registration to practice is suspended or revoked.
_____(k) The board shall elect annually one of its members as chairperson and one of its members as secretary-treasurer who shall serve at the will and pleasure of the board.
_____(m) A majority of the members of the board constitutes a quorum.
_____(n) The board shall hold at least one annual meeting. Other meetings shall be held at the call of the chairperson or upon the written request of four members, at the time and place as designated in the call or request.
_____(p) Board members are immune from civil liability for the performance of their official duties so long as they act in good faith.
§30-32-5. Powers and duties of the board.
_____(a) The board has all the powers and duties set forth in this article, by legislative rule, in article one of this chapter and elsewhere in law.
_____(b) The board shall:
_____(1) Hold meetings and conduct hearings;
_____(2) Establish requirements for licenses and registrations;
_____(3) Establish procedures for submitting, approving and rejecting applications for licenses and registrations;
_____(4) Determine the qualifications of any applicant for a license or registration;
_____(5) Propose rules for legislative approval relating to professional conduct and ethical standards of practice;
_____(6) Communicate disciplinary actions to relevant state and federal authorities, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the West Virginia Speech-Language and Hearing Association and other applicable authorities when public safety is at risk;
_____(7) Maintain an office and hire, discharge, establish the job requirements and fix the compensation of employees and contracted employees necessary to enforce the provisions of this article;
_____(8) Investigate alleged violations of the provisions of this article, legislative rules, orders and final decisions of the board;
_____(9) Conduct disciplinary hearings of persons regulated by the board;
_____(10) Determine disciplinary action and issue orders;
_____(11) Institute appropriate legal action for the enforcement of the provisions of this article;
_____(12) Maintain an accurate registry of names and addresses of all persons regulated by the board;
_____(13) Keep accurate and complete records of its proceedings, and certify the same as may be necessary and appropriate;
_____(14) Establish by legislative rule the continuing education and competency requirements for licensees and registrants;
_____(15) Issue, renew, combine, deny, suspend, revoke or reinstate licenses and registrations pursuant to the provisions of this article;
_____(16) Establish a fee schedule;
_____(17) Take all other actions necessary and proper to effectuate the purposes of this article; and
_____(18) Propose rules in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code to implement the provisions of this article.
_____(c) The board may:
_____(1) Approve and contract with third parties to administer the examinations required under the provisions of this article;
_____(2) Sue and be sued in its official name as an agency of this state;
_____(3) Confer with the Attorney General or his or her assistants in connection with legal matters and questions; and
_____(4) Perform random audits of continuing education and supervision records and documentation of licensure and registration requirements to determine compliance with this article and legislative rule.
§30-32-6. Rulemaking.
_____(a) The board shall propose rules for legislative approval, in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty- nine-a of this code, to implement the provisions of this article, including:
_____(1) Standards and requirements for licenses and registrations;
_____(2) Requirements, qualifications and designation of third parties to establish educational requirements and to prepare and/or administer examinations and reexaminations;
_____(3) Procedures for the issuance and renewal of a license, registration and limited license to practice in public schools;
_____(4) A fee schedule;
_____(5) Continuing education and competency requirements for licensees and registrants;
_____(6) Establishment of competency standards;
_____(7) The procedures for denying, suspending, revoking, reinstating or limiting the practice of a licensee or registrant;
_____(8) Requirements for reinstatement of revoked licenses and registrations;
_____(9) Guidelines for telepractice;
_____(10) Rules to define the role of the speech-language pathology assistant or audiology assistant, including, but not limited to:
_____(A) The supervisory responsibilities of licensees;
_____(B) The ratio of assistants to licensees;
_____(C) The scope of duties and restrictions of responsibilities of assistants;
_____(D) The frequency, duration and documentation of supervision required under the provisions of this article;
_____(E) The quantity and content of preservice and in-service instruction; and
_____(F) The procedures for renewing, suspending or revoking the registration of assistants; and
_____(11) Any other rules necessary to effectuate the provisions of this article.
_____(b) The board may promulgate emergency rules in accordance with section fifteen, article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code to establish:
_____(1) Requirements and procedures for the issuance of a Level I license to practice exclusively in public schools in accordance with section eleven of this article; and
_____(2) Requirements and procedures for telepractice in accordance with the provisions of section fourteen of this article, including the scope of duties and restrictions of responsibilities of assistants in telepractice.
_____(c) All rules in effect on the effective date of the 2013 revision of this article remain in effect until they are amended or repealed, and references to provisions of former enactments of this article are interpreted to mean provisions of this article.
§30-32-7. Funds.
_____(a) All fees and other moneys, except administrative fines, received by the board shall be deposited in a separate special revenue fund in the State Treasury designated the "Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Fund", which is continued. The fund is used by the board for the administration of this article. Except as may be provided in article one of this chapter, the board retains the amount in the special revenue account from year to year. No compensation or expense incurred under this article is a charge against the General Revenue Fund.
_____(b) Any amount received as fines, imposed pursuant to this article, shall be deposited into the General Revenue Fund of the State Treasury.
§30-32-8. Qualifications for licensure as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist.
_____(a) To be eligible for licensure by the board as a speech- language pathologist, the applicant shall:
_____(1) Make application to the board, upon a form prescribed by the board;
_____(2) Pay to the board an application fee as established by the board;
_____(3) Possess at least a master's degree or equivalent in speech-language pathology from an educational institution approved by the board which consists of coursework approved by the board and delineated in legislative rule;
_____(4) Complete supervised clinical practicum experiences from an educational institution or its cooperating programs, the content of which shall be approved by the board and delineated in the rules;
_____(5) Complete a postgraduate professional experience as approved by the board and described in legislative rule;
_____(6) Pass the national examination in speech-language pathology; and
_____(7) Pass a jurisprudence examination developed by the board.
_____(b) To be eligible for licensure by the board as an audiologist, the applicant shall:
_____(3) As of July 1, 2014, possess at least a doctorate degree or equivalent in audiology from an educational institution approved by the board which consists of coursework approved by the board and delineated in legislative rule;
_____(6) Pass the national examination in audiology; and
_____(c) Subject to the renewal requirements set forth in section fifteen of this article, a license issued by the board under prior enactments of this article shall for all purposes be considered a license issued under this article.
§30-32-9. Provisional licenses.
__________(a) The board shall issue a provisional license to an applicant who, except for the postgraduate professional experience set forth in subdivision (5), subsection (a) of section eight of this article, or subdivision (5), subsection (b) of section eight of this article:
__________(1) Meets the academic, practicum, and examination requirements of this article;
__________(2) Submits an application to the board, upon a form prescribed by the board, including a plan for the content of the postgraduate professional experience; and
__________(3) Pays to the board the appropriate application fee for a provisional license.
__________(b) A person holding a provisional license may practice speech-language pathology or audiology only under the general supervision of a person licensed to practice in the professional field for which the provisional license was issued.
__________(c) The term for provisional licenses and the conditions for their renewal are to be determined by the board and delineated in legislative rule.
§30-32-10. Waiver of requirements; practice pending disposition of application.
_____(a) The board shall waive the national examination requirements in speech-language pathology and/or audiology for an applicant who either:
_____(1) Presents proof of current licensure in a state that has standards that are substantially equivalent to those of this state; or
_____(2) Holds a certificate of clinical competence in speech- language pathology or audiology from the American Speech-Language- Hearing Association in the professional field for which they seek licensure.
_____(b) An applicant who holds current licensure from another state with substantially equivalent standards or who holds the certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association may practice speech-language pathology or audiology in this state, pending the board's disposition of the application, if the applicant:
_____(1) Is practicing in the professional field in which the licensure or certificate of clinical competence was granted; and
_____(2) Has filed an application with the board and paid the appropriate application fee.
§30-32-11. Level I license to practice exclusively in public schools.
_____(a) As of July 1, 2014, the board shall issue a Level I license to practice speech-language pathology exclusively in public schools to applicants who:
_____(1) Apply for a Level I license to practice speech-language pathology exclusively in public schools on or before July 1, 2014;
_____(2) Provide proof of being employed or contracted by the West Virginia Board of Education, a county board of education or a regional education service agency on or before July 1, 2013, in the field of speech-language pathology; and
_____(3) Possess at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent in speech-language pathology from an educational institution approved by the board which consists of coursework approved by the board and delineated in legislative rule.
_____(b) As of July 1, 2014, the board shall issue a Level I license to practice audiology exclusively in public schools to applicants who:
_____(1) Apply for a Level I license to practice audiology exclusively in public schools on or before July 1, 2014;
_____(2) Provide proof of being employed or contracted by the West Virginia Board of Education, a county board of education or a regional education service agency on or before July 1, 2013, in the field of audiology; and
_____(3) Possess at least a master's degree or equivalent in audiology from an educational institution approved by the board which consists of coursework approved by the board and delineated in legislative rule.
§30-32-12. Scope of practice for speech-language pathology and audiology.
_____(a) The practice of speech-language pathology includes:
_____(1) Prevention, screening, consultation, assessment and diagnosis, treatment, intervention, management, counseling and follow-up services for disorders of speech (i.e., articulation, fluency, resonance and voice), language (i.e., phonology, morphology, syntax, preliteracy and language-based skills), swallowing or other upper aerodigestive functions;
_____(2) Cognitive aspects of communication (i.e., attention, memory, problem solving);
_____(3) Establishing augmentative and alternative communication techniques and strategies, including developing, selecting and prescribing of systems and devices (e.g., speech generating devices) and providing training in their use;
_____(4) Providing services to individuals with hearing loss and their families (e.g., Auditory training, speech reading, speech and language intervention secondary to hearing loss;
_____(5) Screening hearing of individuals who can participate in conventional puretone air conduction methods and screening middle ear pathology through screening tympanometry for the purpose of referral for further evaluation: Provided, That judgments and descriptive statements about the results of the screenings are limited to pass/fail determinations;
_____(6) Using instrumentation (e.g., videofluroscopy) to observe, collect data and measure parameters of communication and swallowing as directed by a licensed physician; and
_____(7) Selecting, fitting and establishing effective use of prosthetic/adaptive devices for communication, swallowing or other upper aerodigestive functions.
_____(b) The practice of audiology includes:
_____(1) Facilitating the conservation of Auditory system function, developing and implementing environmental and occupational hearing conservation programs;
_____(2) Screening, identifying, assessing and interpreting, preventing and rehabilitating peripheral and central Auditory system disorders;
_____(3) Providing and interpreting behavioral and electro- physiological measurements of Auditory and vestibular functions;
_____(4) Selecting, fitting, programming and dispensing of amplification, assistive listening and alerting devices and programming and other systems (e.g., implantative devices) and providing training in their use;
_____(5) Providing audiologic and aural rehabilitation and related counseling services to individuals with hearing impairments and their families;
_____(6) Providing vestibular rehabilitation;
_____(7) Cerumen removal; and
_____(8) Screening of speech-language and other factors affecting communication disorders: Provided, That judgments and descriptive statements about the results of the screenings are limited to pass/fail determinations.
§30-32-13. Speech-language pathology and audiology assistants; supervision requirements.
_____(a) On or before July 1, 2014, speech-language pathology assistants and audiology assistants shall register with the board in accordance with the provisions of this article and legislative rule, and shall:
_____(1) Possess a minimum of an associate's degree from an institution or technical training program with a program of study designed to prepare the student to be a speech language pathology or audiology assistant;
_____(2) Meet all requirements set forth in legislative rule; and
_____(3) Work only under the supervision of a licensee licensed in the professional field in which the assistant is working.
_____(b) Licensees who supervise assistants shall:
_____(1) Report to the board the name of each assistant working under the licensee's supervision;
_____(2) Complete initial supervision training prior to accepting an assistant for supervision and upgrade supervision training on a regular basis;
_____(3) Document preservice training and credentials of the assistant;
_____(4) Provide direct supervision of the first three hours of treatment by the assistant for each patient or client, followed by a minimum of one direct observation for each subsequent two week period and document the direct observation;
_____(5) Provide general supervision and be responsible for the extent, kind and quality of service provided by the assistant and for all services provided by the assistant, consistent with this article and the board's legislative rule;
_____(6) Ensure that persons receiving services from an assistant receive prior written notification that services are to be provided, in whole or in part, by an assistant; and
_____(7) Meet all requirements set forth in legislative rule.
§30-32-14. Telepractice.
_____(a) Speech-language pathologists and audiologists may provide services in this state by telepractice only if licensed under the provisions of this article.
_____(b) Speech-language pathologists and audiologists providing services by telepractice shall deliver services consistent with the quality of services delivered in person, and shall:
_____(1) Secure informed consent of the student, patient or client before the services are provided;
_____(2) Maintain the confidentiality of the student, patient or client as required by law;
_____(3) Provide documentation of the delivery of services;
_____(4) Train assistants before allowing them to assist in the delivery of service by telepractice, and document the training and delivery of service by the assistants; and
_____(5) Meet any other requirements which may be set forth in legislative rule.
§30-32-15. Renewal of license or registration; renewal of lapsed license or registration; suspension, revocation and refusal to renew; reinstatement of revoked license or registration.
_____(a) Licenses and registrations may be renewed biennially, upon documentation of required continuing education and payment of a renewal fee.
_____(b) A license or registration which has lapsed may be renewed within one year of its expiration date in the manner set by the board.
_____(c) A license or registration which has lapsed for more than one year but fewer than five years may be reinstated, upon documentation of continuing education credits earned during the lapsed period equal to the credits required for renewal and payment of a reinstatement fee.
_____(d) A license or registration which has lapsed for more than five years may not be reinstated. A new license or registration may be issued to an applicant who complies with the requirements relating to the issuance of an original license or registration in effect at the time of the application.
_____(e) The board may suspend, revoke or refuse to renew a license or registration for any reason which would justify the denial of an original application for licensure or registration.
_____(f) The board may consider the reinstatement of a license or registration which has been revoked upon a showing that the applicant can resume practicing with reasonable skill and safety.
§30-32-16. Actions to enjoin violations.
_____(a) If the board obtains information that any person has engaged in, is engaging in or is about to engage in any act which constitutes or will constitute a violation of the provisions of this article, the rules promulgated pursuant to this article, or a final order or decision of the board, it may issue a notice to the person to cease and desist in engaging in the act and/or apply to the circuit court in the county of the alleged violation for an order enjoining the act.
_____(b) The circuit courts of this state may issue a temporary injunction pending a decision on the merits, and may issue a permanent injunction based on its findings in the case.
§30-32-17. Complaints; investigations; due process procedure; grounds for disciplinary action.
__(a) The board may upon its own motion based on credible information, and shall, upon the written complaint of any person, cause an investigation to be made to determine whether grounds exist for disciplinary action under this article or the legislative rules of the board.
__(b) Upon initiation or receipt of the complaint, the board shall provide a copy of the complaint to the licensee or registrant.
__(c) After reviewing any information obtained through an investigation, the board shall determine if probable cause exists that the licensee or registrant has violated any provision of subsection (g) of this section or rules promulgated pursuant to this article.
__(d) Upon a finding that probable cause exists that the licensee or registrant has violated any provision of this subsection (g) of this section or rules promulgated pursuant to this article, the board may enter into a consent decree or hold a hearing for the suspension or revocation of the license or registration or the imposition of sanctions against the licensee or registrant.
__(e) Any member of the board may issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum to obtain testimony and documents to aid in the investigation of allegations against any person regulated by the article.
__(f) Any member of the board may sign a consent decree or other legal document on behalf of the board.
__(g) The board may, after notice and opportunity for hearing, deny or refuse to renew, suspend or revoke the license or registration of, impose probationary conditions upon or take disciplinary action against, any licensee or registrant for any of the following reasons once a violation has been proven by a preponderance of the evidence:
__(1) Obtaining a license or registration by fraud, misrepresentation or concealment of material facts;
__(2) Being convicted of a felony or other crime related to the practice of the professions regulated by this article;
__(3) Being guilty of unprofessional conduct as defined by legislative rule of the board;
__(4) Violating provisions of this article or a lawful order or legislative rule of the board;
__(5) Providing substandard care as a speech-language pathologist, audiologist or assistant due to a deliberate or negligent act or failure to act regardless of whether actual injury to a patient or client is established;
__(6) Providing substandard care as a speech-language pathology or audiology assistant, including exceeding the authority to perform components of service selected and delegated by the supervising speech-language pathologist or audiologist regardless of whether actual injury to a patient is established;
__(7) Knowingly delegating responsibilities to an individual who does not have the knowledge, skills or abilities to perform those responsibilities;
__(8) Failing to provide appropriate supervision to a speech- language pathology assistant or audiology assistant in accordance with this article and legislative rules of the board;
__(9) Practicing as a speech-language pathologist, audiologist or assistant when competent services to recipients may not be provided due to the speech-language pathologist's, audiologist's or assistant's own physical or mental impairment;
__(10) Having had a speech-language pathologist, audiologist or assistant license or registration revoked or suspended, other disciplinary action taken, or an application for licensure or registration refused, revoked or suspended by the proper authorities of another jurisdiction;
__(11) Engaging in sexual misconduct. For the purposes of this subdivision, sexual misconduct includes:
__(A) Engaging in or soliciting sexual relationships, whether consensual or nonconsensual, while a relationship exists between that person as a patient or client and the speech-language pathologist, audiologist or assistant; or
__(B) Making sexual advances, requesting sexual favors or engaging in physical contact of a sexual nature with patients or clients;
__(12) Aiding or abetting a person who is not licensed as a speech-language pathologist, audiologist or assistant in this state and who directly or indirectly performs activities requiring a license or registration;
__(13) Abandoning or neglecting a patient or client under and in need of immediate professional care without making reasonable arrangements for the continuation of care; or
__(14) Engaging in any act which has endangered or is likely to endanger the health, welfare or safety of the public.
__(h) For the purposes of subsection (g) of this section, effective July 1, 2013, disciplinary action may include:
__(1) Reprimand;
__(2) Probation;
__(3) Administrative fine, not to exceed $1,000 per day per violation;
__(4) Mandatory attendance at continuing education seminars or other training;
__(5) Practicing under supervision or other restriction;
__(6) Requiring the licensee or registrant to report to the board for periodic interviews for a specified period of time;
__(7) Denial, suspension, revocation or nonrenewal of license or registration; or
__(8) Other disciplinary action considered by the board to be necessary to protect the public, including advising other parties whose legitimate interests may be at risk.
§30-32-18. Procedures for hearing; right of appeal.
__(a) Hearings are governed by the provisions of section eight, article one of this chapter.
__(b) The board may conduct the hearing or elect to have an administrative law judge conduct the hearing.
__(c) If the hearing is conducted by an administrative law judge, the administrative law judge shall prepare a proposed written order at the conclusion of a hearing containing findings of fact and conclusions of law. The proposed order may contain proposed disciplinary actions if the board so directs. The board may accept, reject or modify the decision of the administrative law judge.
__(d) Any member of the board has the authority to administer oaths, examine any person under oath and issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum.
__(e) If, after a hearing, the board determines the licensee or registrant has violated any provision of this article or the board's rules, a formal written decision shall be prepared which contains findings of fact, conclusions of law and a specific description of the disciplinary actions imposed.
§30-32-19. Judicial review.
__Any licensee or registrant adversely affected by a decision of the board entered after a hearing may obtain judicial review of the decision in accordance with section four, article five, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code, and may appeal any ruling resulting from judicial review in accordance with article six, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code.
§30-32-20. Single act evidence of practice.
__In any action brought or in any proceeding initiated under this article, evidence of the commission of a single act prohibited by this article is sufficient to justify a penalty, injunction, restraining order or conviction without evidence of a general course of conduct.
§30-32-21. Criminal proceedings; penalties.
__(a) When, as a result of an investigation under this article or otherwise, the board has reason to believe that a licensee or registrant has committed a criminal offense, the board may bring the information to the attention of an appropriate law-enforcement official.
__(b) Effective July 1, 2013, a person violating a provision of this article is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than $500 nor more than $1,000 or confined in jail not more than six months, or both fined and confined.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to rewrite the article governing the practice of speech-language pathology and audiology to update standards and conform to current drafting conventions; and to require, after July 1, 2014, speech-language pathologists and audiologists who work in public schools to be licensed, and speech-language pathology assistants and audiology assistants who work in public schools to register, with the board of Speech- Language Pathology and Audiology.
This article has been completely rewritten; therefore, it has been completely underscored.