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.

PRIORSENATE AMENDED PRINTER'S NO.

312866 PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.NOS.

31, 1941 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of 2025 No.

80 2025 INTRODUCED BY VENKAT, MARCELL, HOWARD, SANCHEZ, BOROWSKI, PIELLI, HILL-EVANS, HANBIDGE, HADDOCK, SCHLOSSBERG, FRANKEL, HOHENSTEIN, FREEMAN, HARKINS, SHUSTERMAN, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, KENYATTA,GREEN, SAPPEY,BONNER, PROBST,KHAN, DONAHUE,DOUGHERTY, OTTEN,MARKOSEK, FIEDLER,SHAFFER, CERRATO,KAZEEM,, GREEN,MADSEN, BONNER,RIVERA KHAN AND DOUGHERTY,SCHEUREN, JANUARY 10, 2025 ASSENATOR REPORTEDSTEFANO, FROMCONSUMER COMMITTEEPROTECTION ONAND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE, HOUSEIN OFSENATE, REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, JUNEFEBRUARY 17,4, 20252026 AN ACT Authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact;

DEFINITIONS 20250HB0080PN2866 - 2 - As used in this Compact, and except as otherwise provided, 20250HB0080PN1941 - 2 - the following definitions shall apply:

the agency of a 20250HB0080PN2866 - 3 - state that is responsible for the licensing and regulation of 20250HB0080PN1941 - 3 - audiologists and/or speech-language pathologists.

individuals whose 20250HB0080PN2866 - 4 - professional practice is adversely affected by substance abuse, 20250HB0080PN1941 - 4 - addiction, or other health-related conditions.

a member state's laws, rules and regulations that govern the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology, define the scope of audiology or 20250HB0080PN2866 - 5 - speech-language pathology practice, and create the methods and 20250HB0080PN1941 - 5 - grounds for imposing discipline.

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 20250HB0080PN2866 - 6 - Investigation relating to a federal criminal records check 20250HB0080PN1941 - 6 - performed by a member state under the Federal Bureau of 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, 20250HB0080PN2866 - 7 - regardless of degree name, from a program that is 20250HB0080PN1941 - 7 - accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the 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;

20250HB0080PN2866 - 8 - a.

Has graduated with a master's degree from a 20250HB0080PN1941 - 8 - speech-language pathology program that is accredited by 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;

20250HB0080PN2866 - 9 - G.

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

20250HB0080PN2866 - 10 - 1.

20250HB0080PN1941 - 10 - 2.

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 20250HB0080PN2866 - 11 - to the new home state and satisfies all applicable requirements 20250HB0080PN1941 - 11 - to obtain a license from the new home state.

Once an encumbered license in the home state is restored to good standing, the licensee must meet the requirements of 20250HB0080PN2866 - 12 - Section 4A to obtain a compact privilege in any remote state.

20250HB0080PN1941 - 12 - L.

Subpoenas issued by a 20250HB0080PN2866 - 13 - licensing board in a member state for the attendance and 20250HB0080PN1941 - 13 - testimony of witnesses or the production of evidence from 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.

If otherwise permitted by state law, the member state may recover from the affected audiologist or speech-language pathologist the costs of investigations and disposition of cases resulting from any adverse action taken against that audiologist 20250HB0080PN2866 - 14 - or speech-language pathologist.

20250HB0080PN1941 - 14 - E.

20250HB0080PN2866 - 15 - I.

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

Any delegate may be removed or suspended from office 20250HB0080PN2866 - 16 - as provided by the law of the state from which the delegate 20250HB0080PN1941 - 16 - is appointed.

Bring and prosecute legal proceedings or actions in the name of the Commission, provided that the standing of any 20250HB0080PN2866 - 17 - state audiology or speech-language pathology licensing board 20250HB0080PN1941 - 17 - to sue or be sued under applicable law shall not be affected;

Provide and receive information from, and cooperate 20250HB0080PN2866 - 18 - with, law enforcement agencies;

20250HB0080PN1941 - 18 - 18.

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, 20250HB0080PN2866 - 19 - and any commission Compact fee charged to licensees for 20250HB0080PN1941 - 19 - the compact privilege;

Accusing any person of a crime or formally 20250HB0080PN2866 - 20 - censuring any person;

20250HB0080PN1941 - 20 - f.

The Commission shall pay, or provide for the 20250HB0080PN2866 - 21 - payment of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment, 20250HB0080PN1941 - 21 - organization, and ongoing activities.

The members, officers, executive director, employees 20250HB0080PN2866 - 22 - and representatives of the Commission shall be immune from 20250HB0080PN1941 - 22 - suit and liability, either personally or in their official 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;

The Commission shall indemnify and hold harmless any member, officer, executive director, employee, or representative of the Commission for the amount of any settlement or judgment obtained against that person arising out of any actual or alleged act, error or omission that 20250HB0080PN2866 - 23 - occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, 20250HB0080PN1941 - 23 - or responsibilities, or that person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that person.

Investigative information pertaining to a licensee in any 20250HB0080PN2866 - 24 - member state shall only be available to other member states.

20250HB0080PN1941 - 24 - D.

20250HB0080PN2866 - 25 - 1.

On the website of the Commission or other publicly 20250HB0080PN1941 - 25 - accessible platform;

If the hearing is held via electronic 20250HB0080PN2866 - 26 - means, the Commission shall publish the mechanism for access to 20250HB0080PN1941 - 26 - the electronic hearing.

Upon determination that an emergency exists, the Commission may consider and adopt an emergency rule without 20250HB0080PN2866 - 27 - prior notice, opportunity for comment, or hearing, provided that 20250HB0080PN1941 - 27 - the usual rulemaking procedures provided in the Compact and in this section shall be retroactively applied to the rule as soon as reasonably possible, in no event later than ninety (90) days after the effective date of the rule.