Relating to the licensing and regulation of speech-language pathologists and audiologists.

Contracts

• Hearing Instrument Sales Agreements: You must audit and likely redraft your standard Terms of Sale and 30-day trial waivers. The law mandates these be written in "plain language." If your current contracts rely on dense legalese, they are non-compliant.
• Employment Agreements: Remove any clauses promising the renewal or extension of a provisional license. These clauses will be legally void after the effective date.

Hiring/Training

• Provisional License Hard Stop: You cannot renew or extend a provisional license after September 1, 2025. Staff currently on provisional licenses must complete full licensure requirements before their current expiration date or cease practice.
• Credential Verification: For Audiologist applicants with only a Master’s degree, you must verify the degree was conferred on or before December 31, 2007. Post-2007 applicants require a Doctoral degree.
• Intake Staff Training: Train front-desk and intake staff to accept medical clearance forms for minors signed by *any* licensed physician (including pediatricians), removing the strict requirement for an otolaryngologist.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

• Medical Clearance Documentation: When accepting a clearance for a minor from a non-specialist (e.g., a pediatrician), document the physician's license number.
• Justification of "Practicable": Create an internal record entry justifying why a specialist referral was not "practicable" (e.g., wait times, distance) to mitigate liability risks associated with bypassing an ear specialist.

Fees & Costs

• No New State Fees: The bill does not introduce new licensing fees.
• Operational Costs: Budget for legal counsel to review and redraft consumer-facing sales contracts to meet the "plain language" standard.