SF 43

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 01/23/2015 08:30am

A bill for an act
relating to health occupations; establishing a registration system for
speech-language pathology assistants; setting registration fees; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 148.512, subdivision 4, by adding
subdivisions; 148.513, subdivision 2, by adding a subdivision; 148.519;
148.5191; 148.5194, subdivision 8, by adding a subdivision; 148.5195,
subdivisions 2, 3, 4; 148.5196, subdivisions 1, 3; proposing coding for new
law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 148.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 148.512, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Applicant.

"Applicant" means a person who applies to the commissioner
for licensure or licensure renewal new text begin , or registration or registration renewal new text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2016.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 148.512, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 16a. new text end

new text begin Register or registered. new text end

new text begin "Register" or "registered" means the act or status
of a person who meets the requirements of section 148.5185.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2016.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 148.512, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 16b. new text end

new text begin Registrant. new text end

new text begin "Registrant" means a person who meets the requirements
of section 148.5185 and is authorized by the commissioner to use the titles in section
148.513, subdivision 2b, paragraph (a).
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2016.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 148.512, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 16c. new text end

new text begin Registration. new text end

new text begin "Registration" is the system of regulation defined in
section 214.001, subdivision 3, clause (3), and is the process specified in section 148.5185.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2016.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 148.513, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Protected titles and restrictions on use new text begin ; speech-language pathologists
and audiologists new text end .

deleted text begin (a) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), deleted text end new text begin Except as provided in subdivision
2b, new text end the use of the following terms or initials which represent the following terms, alone or
in combination with any word or words, by any person to form an occupational title is
prohibited unless that person is licensed under sections 148.511 to 148.5198:

(1) speech-language;

(2) speech-language pathologist, S, SP, or SLP;

(3) speech pathologist;

(4) language pathologist;

(5) audiologist, A, or AUD;

(6) speech therapist;

(7) speech clinician;

(8) speech correctionist;

(9) language therapist;

(10) voice therapist;

(11) voice pathologist;

(12) logopedist;

(13) communicologist;

(14) aphasiologist;

(15) phoniatrist;

(16) audiometrist;

(17) audioprosthologist;

(18) hearing therapist;

(19) hearing clinician; or

(20) hearing aid audiologist.

Use of the term "Minnesota licensed" in conjunction with the titles protected under
this deleted text begin paragraph deleted text end new text begin subdivision new text end by any person is prohibited unless that person is licensed
under sections 148.511 to 148.5198.

deleted text begin (b) A speech-language pathology assistant practicing under section 148.5192
must not represent, indicate, or imply to the public that the assistant is a licensed
speech-language pathologist and shall only utilize one of the following titles:
"speech-language pathology assistant," "SLP assistant," or "SLP asst."
deleted text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2016.
new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 148.513, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 2b. new text end

new text begin Protected titles and restrictions on use; speech-language pathology
assistants. new text end

new text begin (a) Use of the following titles by a person is prohibited, unless that person
is registered under section 148.5185: "registered speech-language pathology assistant,"
"registered SLP assistant," or "registered SLP asst."
new text end

new text begin (b) A speech-language pathology assistant practicing under section 148.5192
must not represent, indicate, or imply to the public that the assistant is a licensed
speech-language pathologist and shall only utilize one of the following titles:
"speech-language pathology assistant," "SLP assistant," or "SLP asst." A speech-language
pathology assistant registered under section 148.5185 may use the term "registered" or
"Minnesota-registered" in connection with a title listed in this paragraph.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2016.
new text end

Sec. 7.

new text begin [148.5185] REGISTRATION; SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY
ASSISTANTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Qualifications for registration. new text end

new text begin To be eligible for registration as a
speech-language pathology assistant, an applicant must satisfy one of the qualifications
listed in section 148.5192, subdivision 1, and must complete at least 100 hours of
supervised field work experience that meets the requirements of section 148.5192,
subdivisions 2 and 3.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Scope of practice. new text end

new text begin Scope of practice for speech-language pathology
assistants is governed by section 148.5192, subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Application procedures. new text end

new text begin Application procedures for registration are
governed by section 148.519, subdivision 1a.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Action on registration applications. new text end

new text begin The commissioner's actions on
registration applications are governed by section 148.519, subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Change of name, employment, and address. new text end

new text begin Changes to a registered
speech-language pathology assistant's name, employment, and address are governed by
section 148.519, subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Registration renewal. new text end

new text begin Renewal of a speech-language pathology assistant
registration is governed by section 148.5191.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Continuing education. new text end

new text begin An applicant for registration renewal must meet
continuing education requirements established by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Investigation procedures and disciplinary actions. new text end

new text begin Complaint
investigations and disciplinary actions against registered speech-language pathology
assistants are governed by section 148.5195.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2016.
new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 148.519, is amended to read:

148.519 LICENSURE new text begin AND REGISTRATION new text end PROCEDURES.

Subdivision 1.

Applications for licensure.

(a) An applicant for licensure must:

(1) submit a completed application for licensure on forms provided by the
commissioner. The application must include the applicant's name, certification number
under chapter 153A, if applicable, business address and telephone number, or home
address and telephone number if the applicant practices speech-language pathology or
audiology out of the home, and a description of the applicant's education, training, and
experience, including previous work history for the five years immediately preceding
the date of application. The commissioner may ask the applicant to provide additional
information necessary to clarify information submitted in the application; and

(2) submit documentation of the certificate of clinical competence issued by the
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, board certification by the American
Board of Audiology, or satisfy the following requirements:

(i) submit a transcript showing the completion of a master's or doctoral degree or its
equivalent meeting the requirements of section 148.515, subdivision 2;

(ii) submit documentation of the required hours of supervised clinical training;

(iii) submit documentation of the postgraduate clinical or doctoral clinical experience
meeting the requirements of section 148.515, subdivision 4; and

(iv) submit documentation of receiving a qualifying score on an examination
meeting the requirements of section 148.515, subdivision 5.

(b) In addition, an applicant must:

(1) sign a statement that the information in the application is true and correct to the
best of the applicant's knowledge and belief;

(2) submit with the application all fees required by section 148.5194; and

(3) sign a waiver authorizing the commissioner to obtain access to the applicant's
records in this or any other state in which the applicant has engaged in the practice of
speech-language pathology or audiology.

new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

new text begin Applications for registration. new text end

new text begin An applicant for registration must submit
to the commissioner:
new text end

new text begin (1) a completed registration application on forms provided by the commissioner. The
application must include the applicant's name, business address and telephone number,
home address and telephone number, and a description of the applicant's education,
training, and experience, including previous work history for the five years immediately
preceding the application date. The commissioner may ask the applicant to provide
additional information needed to clarify information submitted in the application;
new text end

new text begin (2) documentation that the applicant satisfied one of the qualifications listed in
section 148.5192, subdivision 1, and that the applicant completed at least 100 hours
of supervised field work experience that meets the requirements of section 149.5192,
subdivisions 2 and 3;
new text end

new text begin (3) a signed statement that the information in the application is true and correct to
the best of the applicant's knowledge and belief;
new text end

new text begin (4) all fees required under section 148.5194; and
new text end

new text begin (5) a signed waiver authorizing the commissioner to obtain access to the applicant's
records in this or any other state in which the applicant has worked as a speech-language
pathology assistant.
new text end

Subd. 2.

Action on applications for licensure new text begin or registration new text end .

(a) The
commissioner shall act on an application for licensure new text begin or registration new text end according to
paragraphs (b) to (d).

(b) The commissioner shall determine if the applicant meets the requirements
for licensure new text begin or registration new text end . The commissioner or advisory council may investigate
information provided by an applicant to determine whether the information is accurate
and complete.

(c) The commissioner shall notify an applicant, via certified mail, of action taken
on the application and of the grounds for denying licensure new text begin or registration new text end if licensure
new text begin or registration new text end is denied.

(d) An applicant denied licensure new text begin or registration new text end may make a written request to the
commissioner, within 30 days of the date of notification to the applicant, for reconsideration
of the denial. Individuals requesting reconsideration may submit information that
the applicant wants considered in the reconsideration. After reconsideration of the
commissioner's determination to deny licensure new text begin or registration new text end , the commissioner shall
determine whether the original determination should be affirmed or modified. An
applicant may make only one request in any one biennial license new text begin or registration new text end period for
reconsideration of the commissioner's determination to deny licensure new text begin or registration new text end .

Subd. 3.

Change of name, employment, and addresses.

A licensee new text begin or registrant
new text end who changes addresses must inform the commissioner, in writing, of the change of name,
employment, or address within 30 days. A change in name must be accompanied by a
copy of a marriage certificate or court order. All notices or other correspondence mailed to
or served on a licensee new text begin or registrant new text end by the commissioner at the licensee's new text begin or registrant's
new text end address on file with the commissioner shall be considered as having been received by
the licensee new text begin or registrant new text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2016.
new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 148.5191, is amended to read:

148.5191 LICENSURE new text begin AND REGISTRATION new text end RENEWAL.

Subdivision 1.

Renewal requirements.

To renew licensure new text begin or registration new text end , an
applicant must:

(1) biennially complete a renewal application on a form provided by the
commissioner and submit the biennial renewal fee;

(2) new text begin for license renewal, new text end meet the continuing education requirements of section
148.5193 and submit evidence of attending continuing education courses, as required
in section 148.5193, subdivision 6 new text begin , and for registration renewal, meet the continuing
education requirements of section 148.5185, subdivision 7, and submit evidence of
attending continuing education courses new text end ; and

(3) submit additional information if requested by the commissioner to clarify
information presented in the renewal application. The information must be submitted
within 30 days after the commissioner's request.

Subd. 2.

Late fee.

An application submitted after the renewal deadline date must be
accompanied by a late fee as provided in section 148.5194, subdivision 4.

Subd. 3.

Licensure new text begin and registration new text end renewal notice.

Licensure renewal new text begin and
registration renewal new text end is on a biennial basis. At least 60 days before the licensure new text begin or
registration new text end expiration date, the commissioner shall send out a renewal notice to the
licensee's new text begin or registrant's new text end last known address. The notice shall include a renewal application
and notice of fees required for renewal. If the licensee new text begin or registrant new text end does not receive the
renewal notice, the licensee new text begin or registrant new text end is still required to meet the deadline for renewal
to qualify for continuous licensure new text begin or registration new text end status.

Subd. 4.

Renewal deadline.

Each license new text begin or registration new text end , including a temporary
license provided under section 148.5161, must state an expiration date. An application for
licensure renewal new text begin or registration renewal new text end must be received by the Department of Health or
postmarked at least 30 days before the expiration date. If the postmark is illegible, the
application shall be considered timely if received at least 21 days before the expiration date.

When the commissioner establishes the renewal schedule for an applicant, licensee,
deleted text begin or deleted text end temporary licensee, new text begin or registrant, new text end if the period before the expiration date is less than two
years, the fee shall be prorated.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2016.
new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 148.5194, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 3b. new text end

new text begin Registered speech-language pathology assistant biennial
registration fee. new text end

new text begin The fee for initial registration and biennial registration or renewal for a
speech-language pathology assistant is $.....
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2016.
new text end

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 148.5194, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Penalty fees.

(a) The penalty fee for practicing speech-language pathology
or audiology or using protected titles without a current license after the credential has
expired and before it is renewed is the amount of the license renewal fee for any part of
the first month, plus the license renewal fee for any part of any subsequent month up to 36
months. new text begin The penalty fee for a speech-language pathology assistant who uses protected
titles without a current registration after the registration has expired and before it is
renewed is the amount of the registration renewal fee for any part of the first month, plus
the registration renewal fee for any part of any subsequent month up to 36 months.
new text end

(b) The penalty fee for applicants who engage in the unauthorized practice of
speech-language pathology or audiology or using protected titles before being issued a
license is the amount of the license application fee for any part of the first month, plus
the license application fee for any part of any subsequent month up to 36 months. new text begin The
penalty fee for a speech-language pathology assistant who uses protected titles new text end new text begin without
being issued a registration is the amount of the registration application fee for any part of
the first month, plus the registration application fee for any part of any subsequent month
up to 36 months. new text end This paragraph does not apply to applicants not qualifying for a license
who engage in the unauthorized practice of speech language pathology or audiology.

(c) The penalty fee for practicing speech-language pathology or audiology and
failing to submit a continuing education report by the due date with the correct number
or type of hours in the correct time period is $100 plus $20 for each missing clock hour.
new text begin The penalty fee for a registered speech-language pathology assistant who fails to submit a
continuing education report by the due date with the correct number or type of hours in the
correct time period is $100 plus $20 for each missing clock hour. new text end "Missing" means not
obtained between the effective and expiration dates of the certificate, the one-month period
following the certificate expiration date, or the 30 days following notice of a penalty fee
for failing to report all continuing education hours. The licensee new text begin or registrant new text end must obtain
the missing number of continuing education hours by the next reporting due date.

(d) Civil penalties and discipline incurred by licensees prior to August 1, 2005, for
conduct described in paragraph (a), (b), or (c) shall be recorded as nondisciplinary penalty
fees. For conduct described in paragraph (a) or (b) occurring after August 1, 2005, and
exceeding six months, payment of a penalty fee does not preclude any disciplinary action
reasonably justified by the individual case.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2016.
new text end

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 148.5195, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Rights of applicants deleted text begin and deleted text end new text begin , new text end licensees new text begin , and registrants new text end .

The rights of an
applicant denied licensure new text begin or registration new text end are stated in section 148.519, subdivision 2,
paragraph (d). A licensee new text begin or registrant new text end shall not be subjected to disciplinary action under
this section without first having an opportunity for a contested case hearing under chapter
14.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2016.
new text end

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 148.5195, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Grounds for disciplinary action by commissioner.

The commissioner
may take any of the disciplinary actions listed in subdivision 4 on proof that the individual
has:

(1) intentionally submitted false or misleading information to the commissioner
or the advisory council;

(2) failed, within 30 days, to provide information in response to a written request
by the commissioner or advisory council;

(3) performed services of a speech-language pathologist deleted text begin or deleted text end new text begin , new text end audiologist new text begin , or
speech-language pathology assistant new text end in an incompetent or negligent manner;

(4) violated sections 148.511 to 148.5198;

(5) failed to perform services with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety due to the
use of alcohol or drugs, or other physical or mental impairment;

(6) violated any state or federal law, rule, or regulation, and the violation is a felony
or misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or which relates directly or
indirectly to the practice of speech-language pathology deleted text begin or deleted text end new text begin , new text end audiology new text begin , or speech-language
pathology assisting new text end . Conviction for violating any state or federal law which relates
to speech-language pathology deleted text begin or deleted text end new text begin , new text end audiology new text begin , or speech-language pathology assisting new text end is
necessarily considered to constitute a violation, except as provided in chapter 364;

(7) aided or abetted another person in violating any provision of sections 148.511 to
148.5198;

(8) been or is being disciplined by another jurisdiction, if any of the grounds for
the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those under sections 148.511 to
148.5198;

(9) not cooperated with the commissioner or advisory council in an investigation
conducted according to subdivision 1;

(10) advertised in a manner that is false or misleading;

(11) engaged in conduct likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public; or
demonstrated a willful or careless disregard for the health, welfare, or safety of a client;

(12) failed to disclose to the consumer any fee splitting or any promise to pay a
portion of a fee to any other professional other than a fee for services rendered by the
other professional to the client;

(13) engaged in abusive or fraudulent billing practices, including violations of
federal Medicare and Medicaid laws, Food and Drug Administration regulations, or state
medical assistance laws;

(14) obtained money, property, or services from a consumer through the use of
undue influence, high pressure sales tactics, harassment, duress, deception, or fraud;

(15) performed services for a client who had no possibility of benefiting from the
services;

(16) failed to refer a client for medical evaluation or to other health care professionals
when appropriate or when a client indicated symptoms associated with diseases that
could be medically or surgically treated;

(17) had the certification required by chapter 153A denied, suspended, or revoked
according to chapter 153A;

(18) used the term doctor of audiology, doctor of speech-language pathology,
AuD, or SLPD without having obtained the degree from an institution accredited by
the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, the Council on
Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, the United States
Department of Education, or an equivalent;

(19) failed to comply with the requirements of section 148.5192 regarding
supervision of speech-language pathology assistants; or

(20) if the individual is an audiologist or certified hearing instrument dispenser:

(i) prescribed or otherwise recommended to a consumer or potential consumer the
use of a hearing instrument, unless the prescription from a physician or recommendation
from an audiologist or certified dispenser is in writing, is based on an audiogram that is
delivered to the consumer or potential consumer when the prescription or recommendation
is made, and bears the following information in all capital letters of 12-point or
larger boldface type: "THIS PRESCRIPTION OR RECOMMENDATION MAY BE
FILLED BY, AND HEARING INSTRUMENTS MAY BE PURCHASED FROM, THE
LICENSED AUDIOLOGIST OR CERTIFIED DISPENSER OF YOUR CHOICE";

(ii) failed to give a copy of the audiogram, upon which the prescription or
recommendation is based, to the consumer when the consumer requests a copy;

(iii) failed to provide the consumer rights brochure required by section 148.5197,
subdivision 3;

(iv) failed to comply with restrictions on sales of hearing instruments in sections
148.5197, subdivision 3, and 148.5198;

(v) failed to return a consumer's hearing instrument used as a trade-in or for a
discount in the price of a new hearing instrument when requested by the consumer upon
cancellation of the purchase agreement;

(vi) failed to follow Food and Drug Administration or Federal Trade Commission
regulations relating to dispensing hearing instruments;

(vii) failed to dispense a hearing instrument in a competent manner or without
appropriate training;

(viii) delegated hearing instrument dispensing authority to a person not authorized to
dispense a hearing instrument under this chapter or chapter 153A;

(ix) failed to comply with the requirements of an employer or supervisor of a
hearing instrument dispenser trainee;

(x) violated a state or federal court order or judgment, including a conciliation court
judgment, relating to the activities of the individual's hearing instrument dispensing; or

(xi) failed to include on the audiogram the practitioner's printed name, credential
type, credential number, signature, and date.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2016.
new text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 148.5195, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Disciplinary actions.

If the commissioner finds that an individual should
be disciplined according to subdivision 3, the commissioner may take any one or more
of the following actions:

(1) refuse to grant or renew licensure new text begin or registration new text end ;

(2) suspend licensure new text begin or registration new text end for a period not exceeding one year;

(3) revoke licensure new text begin or registration new text end ;

(4) take any reasonable lesser action against an individual upon proof that the
individual has violated sections 148.511 to 148.5198; or

(5) impose, for each violation, a civil penalty not exceeding $10,000 that deprives
the licensee new text begin or registrant new text end of any economic advantage gained by the violation and that
reimburses the Department of Health for costs of the investigation and proceedings
resulting in disciplinary action, including the amount paid for services of the administrative
hearings, the amount paid for services of the Office of the Attorney General, attorney
fees, court reporters, witnesses, reproduction of records, advisory council members' per
diem compensation, department staff time, and expenses incurred by advisory council
members and department staff.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2016.
new text end

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 148.5196, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Membership.

The commissioner shall appoint deleted text begin 12 deleted text end new text begin 13 new text end persons to a
Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologist Advisory Council. The deleted text begin 12 deleted text end new text begin 13 new text end persons
must include:

(1) three public members, as defined in section 214.02. Two of the public members
shall be either persons receiving services of a speech-language pathologist or audiologist,
or family members of or caregivers to such persons, and at least one of the public members
shall be either a hearing instrument user or an advocate of one;

(2) three speech-language pathologists licensed under sections 148.511 to 148.5198,
one of whom is currently and has been, for the five years immediately preceding the
appointment, engaged in the practice of speech-language pathology in Minnesota and each
of whom is employed in a different employment setting including, but not limited to, private
practice, hospitals, rehabilitation settings, educational settings, and government agencies;

(3) one speech-language pathologist licensed under sections 148.511 to 148.5198,
who is currently and has been, for the five years immediately preceding the appointment,
employed by a Minnesota public school district or a Minnesota public school
district consortium that is authorized by Minnesota Statutes and who is licensed in
speech-language pathology by the Minnesota Board of Teaching;

(4) three audiologists licensed under sections 148.511 to 148.5198, two of whom
are currently and have been, for the five years immediately preceding the appointment,
engaged in the practice of audiology and the dispensing of hearing instruments in
Minnesota and each of whom is employed in a different employment setting including,
but not limited to, private practice, hospitals, rehabilitation settings, educational settings,
industry, and government agencies;

(5) one nonaudiologist hearing instrument dispenser recommended by a professional
association representing hearing instrument dispensers; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(6) one physician licensed under chapter 147 and certified by the American Board of
Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (7) one speech-language pathology assistant registered under section 148.5185.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2016.
new text end

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 148.5196, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Duties.

The advisory council shall:

(1) advise the commissioner regarding speech-language pathologist and audiologist
licensure standards;

(2) advise the commissioner regarding new text begin speech-language pathology assistant
registration standards and new text end the delegation of duties to and the training required for
speech-language pathology assistants;

(3) advise the commissioner on enforcement of sections 148.511 to 148.5198;

(4) provide for distribution of information regarding speech-language pathologist
and audiologist licensure standards new text begin and speech-language pathology assistant registration
standards new text end ;

(5) review applications and make recommendations to the commissioner on
granting or denying licensure or licensure renewal new text begin , and granting or denying registration
or registration renewal new text end ;

(6) review reports of investigations relating to individuals and make
recommendations to the commissioner as to whether licensure new text begin or registration new text end should be
denied or disciplinary action taken against the individual;

(7) advise the commissioner regarding approval of continuing education activities
provided by sponsors using the criteria in section 148.5193, subdivision 2; and

(8) perform other duties authorized for advisory councils under chapter 214, or
as directed by the commissioner.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2016.
new text end