An Act To Amend the Licensing'Requirements for Speech.;language Pathology Assistants
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 0281
Committee: Business, Research and Economic Development
Sponsors: FLOOD, GOOLEY
Amends: 32 MRSA §17103

Legislative Document 
No. 281 
H.P.221 
House of Representatives, Febmary 2,2009 
An Act To Amend the Licensing'Requirements for Speech.;language 
Pathology Assistants 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Business, Research and Economic Development suggested 
and ordered printed. 
Presented by Representative FLOOD of Winthrop. 
Cosponsored by Senator GOOLEY of Franklin. 
PrilltcJ on recycled pnpcr 
'71~ 
frl· 7l!1LC;{~{ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adj ournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, existing language in the laws governing the licensing of speech-language 
pathology assistants is preventing otherwise qualified individuals from practicing; and 
Whereas, this legislation corrects that language; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, 
Be it enacted by the People ofthe State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1. 32 MRS A §17101, sub-§16, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. C, §3 and 
affected by §5, is amended to read: 
16. Speech-language pathology assistant. "Speech-language pathology assistant" 
means an individual who meets minimum qualifications that the board may establish for 
speech-language pathology assistants, that are less than those qualifications established 
by this chapter for licensure as a speech-language pathologist, but must include an 
associate's associate degree or its equivalent as determined by the board, or a higher 
degree in the field of communication disorders. 
Sec. 2. 32 MRSA §17103, sub-§.6, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. C, §3 and 
affected by §5, is amended to read: 
6. Speech-language pathology assistants. Registration LicensUre may be granted to 
an individual who meets the minimum qualifications for a speech-language pathology 
assistant established by the board and who is supervised by a licensed speech-language 
pathologist, as set forth by the board by rule. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection 
are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. 
Sec. 3. 32MRSA §17301, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. C, §3 and 
affected by §5, is amended to read: 
5. Speech-language pathology assistant. A speech-language pathology assistant 
must have an associate's associate degree or a higher degree from an accredited 
institution in the field of communication disorders, or its equivalent as determined by the 
board, and must meet such other minimum qualifications as the board may establish~ 
except that an applicant for licensure as a speech-language pathology assistant who has 
obtained a bachelor of science degree in the field of communication disorders is exempt 
from any practicum requirements that are applicable to applicants who hold associate 
degrees. 
Emergency clause. 
ill view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
) 
) 
) 
n 
SUMMARY 
This bill specifically provides that an applicant for licensUre as a speech-language 
pathology assistant may hold a degree higher than an associate degree and exempts 
applicants holding a bachelor of science degree from any practicum requirements that 
may be applicable to applicants who hold associate degrees. 
(