HB 80 — An Act authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact; and providing for the form of the compact.

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.

31 PRINTER'STHE NO.GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.

194180 THE2025 GENERALINTRODUCED ASSEMBLYBY OFVENKAT, PENNSYLVANIAMARCELL, HOUSEHOWARD, BILLSANCHEZ, SessionBOROWSKI, PIELLI, HILL-EVANS, HANBIDGE, HADDOCK, SCHLOSSBERG, FRANKEL, HOHENSTEIN, FREEMAN, HARKINS, SHUSTERMAN, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, KENYATTA, SAPPEY, PROBST, DONAHUE AND OTTEN, JANUARY 10, 2025 REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE, JANUARY 10, 2025 AN ACT Authorizing the Commonwealth of No.Pennsylvania to join the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact;

80 2025 INTRODUCED BY VENKAT, MARCELL, HOWARD, SANCHEZ, BOROWSKI, PIELLI, HILL-EVANS, HANBIDGE, HADDOCK, SCHLOSSBERG, FRANKEL, HOHENSTEIN, FREEMAN, HARKINS, SHUSTERMAN, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, KENYATTA, SAPPEY, PROBST, DONAHUE, OTTEN, FIEDLER, CERRATO, GREEN, BONNER, KHAN AND DOUGHERTY, JANUARY 10, 2025 AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, JUNE 17, 2025 AN ACT Authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact;

DEFINITIONS As used in this Compact, and except as otherwise provided, 20250HB0080PN1941 - 2 - the following definitions shall apply:

20250HB0080PN0031 - 2 - A.

the agency of a state that is responsible for the licensing and regulation of 20250HB0080PN1941 - 3 - audiologists and/or speech-language pathologists.

20250HB0080PN0031 - 3 - H.

individuals whose professional practice is adversely affected by substance abuse, 20250HB0080PN1941 - 4 - addiction, or other health-related conditions.

20250HB0080PN0031 - 4 - O.

a member state's laws, rules and regulations that govern the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology, define the scope of audiology or speech-language pathology practice, and create the methods and 20250HB0080PN1941 - 5 - grounds for imposing discipline.

20250HB0080PN0031 - 5 - Y.

Communication between a member state, the Commission and among member states regarding the verification of eligibility for licensure through the Compact shall not include any information received from the Federal Bureau of Investigation relating to a federal criminal records check 20250HB0080PN1941 - 6 - performed by a member state under the Federal Bureau of 20250HB0080PN0031 - 6 - Investigation appropriation of Title II of Public Law 92-544, 86 Stat.

On or after, January 1, 2008, has graduated with a Doctoral degree in audiology, or equivalent degree, regardless of degree name, from a program that is 20250HB0080PN1941 - 7 - accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the 20250HB0080PN0031 - 7 - Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or its successor, or by the United States Department of Education and operated by a college or university accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization recognized by the board;

Has graduated with a master's degree from a 20250HB0080PN1941 - 8 - speech-language pathology program that is accredited by 20250HB0080PN0031 - 8 - an organization recognized by the United States Department of Education and operated by a college or university accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization recognized by the board;

The privilege to practice is derived from the home state 20250HB0080PN1941 - 9 - license.

20250HB0080PN0031 - 9 - H.

20250HB0080PN1941 - 10 - 2.

20250HB0080PN0031 - 10 - 3.

A license shall not be issued by the new home state until the audiologist or speech-language pathologist provides satisfactory evidence of a change in primary state of residence to the new home state and satisfies all applicable requirements 20250HB0080PN1941 - 11 - to obtain a license from the new home state.

20250HB0080PN0031 - 11 - F.

20250HB0080PN1941 - 12 - L.

Once the requirements of Section 4J have been met, the 20250HB0080PN0031 - 12 - licensee must meet the requirements in Section 4A to obtain a compact privilege in a remote state.

Subpoenas issued by a licensing board in a member state for the attendance and 20250HB0080PN1941 - 13 - testimony of witnesses or the production of evidence from 20250HB0080PN0031 - 13 - another member state shall be enforced in the latter state by any court of competent jurisdiction, according to the practice and procedure of that court applicable to subpoenas issued in proceedings pending before it.

20250HB0080PN1941 - 14 - E.

The member state may take adverse action based on the 20250HB0080PN0031 - 14 - factual findings of the remote state, provided that the member state follows the member state's own procedures for taking the adverse action.

Nothing in this Compact shall override a member state's 20250HB0080PN1941 - 15 - decision that participation in an alternative program may be 20250HB0080PN0031 - 15 - used in lieu of adverse action.

Any delegate may be removed or suspended from office as provided by the law of the state from which the delegate 20250HB0080PN1941 - 16 - is appointed.

20250HB0080PN0031 - 16 - 4.

Bring and prosecute legal proceedings or actions in the name of the Commission, provided that the standing of any state audiology or speech-language pathology licensing board 20250HB0080PN1941 - 17 - to sue or be sued under applicable law shall not be affected;

20250HB0080PN0031 - 17 - 8.

20250HB0080PN1941 - 18 - 18.

and 20250HB0080PN0031 - 18 - 19.

Recommend to the entire Commission changes to the rules or bylaws, changes to this Compact legislation, fees paid by Compact member states such as annual dues, and any commission Compact fee charged to licensees for 20250HB0080PN1941 - 19 - the compact privilege;

20250HB0080PN0031 - 19 - b.

20250HB0080PN1941 - 20 - f.

Disclosure of trade secrets or commercial or 20250HB0080PN0031 - 20 - financial information that is privileged or confidential;

The Commission shall pay, or provide for the payment of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment, 20250HB0080PN1941 - 21 - organization, and ongoing activities.

20250HB0080PN0031 - 21 - b.

The members, officers, executive director, employees and representatives of the Commission shall be immune from 20250HB0080PN1941 - 22 - suit and liability, either personally or in their official 20250HB0080PN0031 - 22 - capacity, for any claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused by or arising out of any actual or alleged act, error or omission that occurred, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties or responsibilities;