Legislature(2003 - 2004)
04/16/2004 09:09 AM Senate FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE BILL NO. 365
"An Act relating to the regulation of speech-language
pathologist assistants; and providing for an effective date."
This was the first hearing for this bill in the Senate Finance
Committee.
JANE ALBERTS, Staff to Senator Bunde, testified the Senate Labor
and Commerce Committee sponsored this bill on behalf of Alaskan
speech pathologists. She told about the current shortage of
qualified speech language pathologists in Alaska. This bill, she
stated would provide for credentials and authority to speech
language pathologist assistants to administer specific services.
She defined speech language pathologist assistants as having
completed certain coursework and clinical training, and could
perform tasks prescribed, directed and supervised by licensed
certified speech language pathologists. She gave examples of the
duties the assistants would undertake, including preparing
materials and performing clerical duties associated with case
management. She stressed the assistant is not intended to replace
the pathologists but rather extend services. She reported on
significant changes in recent years in the field of speech language
pathology in the manner in which services are delivered, such as
health care finance reform, public school workloads, technological
advances and expanded scope of practices. She noted the
pathologists are licensed though Department of Community and
Economic Development.
Ms. Alberts stated this bill would mandate that assistants be
regulated and supervised to ensure the consumer is receiving
appropriate speech language services.
Ms. Alberts predicted this program would increase availability of
services while maintaining quality. She pointed out this program
may be the only way that services could be received in rural
Alaska.
Senator Bunde asked how one would become an assistant.
Ms. Alberts told of the training program underway and the
approximate 30 students enrolled. She expressed intent that these
assistants would be utilized in rural communities.
Senator Bunde clarified that the University operates the training
program and supports this legislation.
Ms. Alberts affirmed.
Senator Olson asked the number of speech language pathologists in
the State and the number of assistants that would be employed.
Ms. Alberts deferred.
Senator Bunde pointed out that assistants are not currently
licensed and recognized.
Senator Bunde disclosed he had worked as a speech language
pathologist, although he has no intention to return to the
profession.
PATTY OLMSTEAD, certified speech language pathologist and Alaska
resident, testified via teleconference from an offnet location from
the American Speech Language Hearing Office in Washington DC in
support of this bill. She informed that approximately 235
audiologist and speech language pathologists practice in Alaska,
primarily in schools located in larger communities. She spoke to
the benefits of providing education to Alaskans to perform this
work.
Senator Olson asked the prerequisites for the assistance-training
program.
Ms. Olmstead replied that the majority of students in the training
program have at least a high school education, and that most are
studying for an Associates of Arts degree.
Senator Olson asked how this compares to the educational
prerequisites for speech language pathologists.
Ms. Olmstead answered that speech language pathologists are
required to have a Bachelors degree, a Masters degree and one-year
clinical fellowship. She furthered that a national examination is
required to become certified.
NANCY LOVERING, President, Alaska Speech and Hearing Association,
and speech language pathologist in private practice, testified via
teleconference from Anchorage that most of the students in the
Associates of Arts degree speech language assistance program attend
Prince William Sound Community College or the University of Alaska-
Anchorage. While the assistance would not qualify as replacements
for speech language pathologists, she noted the position would
supplement the efforts of the pathologists. She surmised that
clients would advance further with the aid of the assistants.
LAURA YOUNG CAMPBELL, Alaska Speech and Hearing Association, and
licensed speech language pathologist in the Mat-Su school system,
testified via teleconference from Mat-Su about the largest need for
speech therapy services in schools, especially given the shortage
of teachers. She stated the assistant program would allow for more
individualized treatment for students using programs she, as a
pathologist develops. She furthered that use of assistance would
provide her more time to complete paperwork, including that
required for the federal No Child Left Behind program. She noted
this bill outlines the supervision that assistants would receive.
She spoke to the positive impacts on students able to complete
their treatment plan in a shorter period of time, which would also
cost less to implement.
Senator B. Stevens offered a motion to report the bill from
Committee.
Senator B. Stevens removed his motion.
Senator B. Stevens moved to adopt CS SB 365, 23-LS0540\Q as a
working document.
Without objection the committee substitute was ADOPTED.
Senator B. Stevens offered a motion to report CS SB 365, 23-
LS0540\Q from Committee with individual recommendations and
accompanying fiscal note.
There was no objection and CS SB 365 (FIN) MOVED from Committee
with fiscal note #1 for $800 from the Department of Community and
Economic Development.
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