State board backs HB 1049 to broaden assistant eligibility, allow temporary licenses and subpoena power

The North Dakota State Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech‑Language Pathology told the House Human Services Committee it supports House Bill 1049, which would revise state licensure rules for audiology and speech‑language pathology assistants, create a temporary licensure pathway while applicants wait for documentation, and give the board statutory subpoena authority for investigations.

The change the board asked the committee to add to the statute would put the word "managing" into the scope of audiology, a term the board said aligns state law with billing and reimbursement terminology used by third‑party payers. The board also asked that the law permit people who hold an associate degree from a speech‑language pathology assistant program to apply for an assistant license; current language, the board said, requires a bachelor’s degree tied specifically to communication sciences and disorders.

"I support the amendments proposed in house bill 1049," said Robin Zeltinger, acting president of the state board and chair of the Department of Speech‑Language Pathology at the University of Mary, in testimony to the committee. Zeltinger told lawmakers that programs producing qualified assistants now often award two‑year associate degrees and that the existing bachelor’s‑only requirement has blocked otherwise qualified applicants from licensure.

Why it matters: committee members pressed the board on how the proposed changes would work in practice and on the scope of any new subpoena power. Supporters said the changes would reduce barriers to practice—especially in rural areas of western North Dakota—and ease workforce shortages by allowing more assistants into supervised roles.

Key details discussed at the hearing: - Education and supervised hours: The bill would recognize two‑year associate programs for SLPLA (speech‑language pathology licensed assistant) eligibility and retain the current coursework and supervised‑hours requirements; the board described typical paths in which applicants complete clinical hours while employed under supervision until they reach the required 100 hours. - Temporary licensure: The board proposed a temporary license to allow out‑of‑state graduates or relicensing applicants to work while the board completes paperwork and verifies documentation, since other states’ slower processing can delay applicants from practicing. - Subpoena authority: The bill would give the state board statutory authority to subpoena records in investigations of alleged misconduct by licensed practitioners. Committee members asked whether subpoenaed client records would remain confidential; Zeltinger said "Yes. Both audiology and speech language are all covered under the HIPAA regulations." (committee exchange recorded.)

Lawmakers asked about relicensure scenarios and continuing education; Courtney Olson, a speech‑language pathologist in Minot, said the board has granted temporary licenses while applicants complete required continuing education units or submit proof of coursework and that doing so has been used "pretty extensively in the past couple of years." Zeltinger confirmed the subpoena power is intended to investigate complaints against already‑licensed practitioners, not unlicensed individuals advertising services.

No committee vote was taken during the hearing. Supporters submitted written testimony for the committee record.

What’s next: The committee closed the hearing on HB 1049 with no immediate action taken; any change to the Century Code would require committee approval and subsequent floor action.