What's happening
This bill creates a limited license for speech-language pathologist applicants to practice under supervision while fulfilling experience requirements.
Why it matters
Expands access to clinical training. By creating a limited license, the bill allows speech-language pathologist applicants to legally gain hands-on experience under supervision, which is essential for meeting licensure requirements and entering the workforce.
Ensures patient safety and quality of care. The limited license restricts practice to supervised settings, ensuring that only fully qualified professionals work independently with patients while still allowing trainees to develop crucial skills.
Reduces barriers to entering the profession. Applicants can more easily fulfill the required clinical experience, potentially speeding up the process of becoming fully licensed and helping address shortages in the speech-language pathology workforce.
Establishes accountability and oversight. By requiring renewal of the limited license annually and setting a clear fee structure, the bill creates a regulated pathway for applicants, balancing opportunity for trainees with protections for the public.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Limited Speech Pathology Licenses
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 55
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Substituted by A7729
- Ordered to third reading cal.1902
- Reported and committed to rules
- Print number 5936a
- Amend (t) and recommit to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Permit Temporary Speech Therapist License
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Ellen C. Jaffee
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5936--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 8, 2017
Introduced by Sen. FUNKE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education -committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to a limited license for a speech-language pathologist
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 8206-a to read as follows:
§ 8206-a. Limited license. 1. The department shall issue a limited license to an applicant for a license as a speech-language pathologist who meets all requirements set forth in this section.
2. Any person engaging in clinical or academic practice under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist for such period of time as may be necessary to complete an experience requirement for a professional license as a speech-language pathologist shall be eligible for a limited license.
3. A limited licensee shall be authorized to practice speech-language pathology only under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist.
4. A limited license shall be valid for one year. It may be renewed for additional one year periods until such time as may be necessary to complete an experience requirement for a professional license as a speech-language pathologist.
5. The fee for a limited license shall be seventy dollars.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11450-02-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to a limited license for a speech-language pathologist
Purpose
To establish a limited license category for Speech-Language-Pathologists.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill adds a new Section 8206-a to the Education Law to provide authority to the State Education Department to issue a limited licensure to an applicant for a license as a speech-language-pathologist. The speech-language-pathologist must have completed the Master's degree program and have either received or is pending receipt of the Master's diploma in order to apply for a limited license. A limited license would be valid for one year, provided that it may be renewed for additional one year periods until such time as may be necessary to complete an experience requirement for a professional license.
Section 2 of the bill provides that the bill is effective 180 days after enactment.
Justification
Federal regulations (42 CFR 484.4) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) require a Speech-Language-Pathologist to be licensed to be eligible to participate in the Medicare program. New York State is one of only 7 states that does not have a "limited license" category to allow clinical fellows to practice during the completion of their experience requirements. This bill establishes a limited license for Speech-Language-Pathologists in State law so that clinical fellows who are engaging in clinical practice under the supervision of a licensed Speech-Language-Pathologist during the time necessary to complete an experience requirement can participate in the Medicare program.
Legislative history
New legislation.
Fiscal implications
None to the State. However, this bill will increase employment opportunities for Speech-Language Pathologists.
Effective date
This act shall take effect 180 days after enactment.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.