Committee Hears Bill to Create Associate‑Level Speech‑Language Pathology Assistants

Representative Standridge, sponsor of House Bill 441, opened a public hearing saying the proposal would “establish an associate level speech language pathology assistant,” allowing a pathway through community colleges and noting that similar models exist in other states.

The bill aims to create an associate‑degree credential for speech‑language pathology assistants (SLPAs) who would work under the supervision of a licensed speech‑language pathologist (SLP). Backers said the measure is intended to address shortages of SLPs in K–12 schools and rural areas and to create a pipeline from two‑year programs into bachelor’s and master’s training.

Rodney Green, superintendent of Blount County Schools, told the committee his system serves about 8,000 students and currently supports 731 students with separate IEPs for speech services. Green said his district has been short SLPs for years, reporting it has been “down 6 speech teachers for 3 years” and “this year, we’re down 8.” He described reliance on contracted teletherapy and aides, saying contracts can cost “$70 to $80 an hour plus mileage,” and that since Oct. 1 he has spent $272,000 on contract speech services and projects “over a half a million dollars this year” to meet IEP obligations.

Vicki Karowicz, president of Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, said the American Speech‑Language‑Hearing Association (ASHA) offers national certification for associate‑level SLPAs and presented state workforce data showing demand. Karowicz cited Lightcast occupation figures she summarized for the committee and urged passage to help fill workforce gaps in rural and underserved regions.

Frances Clark, vice chair of AVESPA (the state licensing board referenced in testimony), and Jay Murrell, attorney for the Speech and Hearing Association of Alabama, both expressed caution. Clark said the board’s primary concern is consumer safety and that the bill’s wording could affect “all settings where SLP services are provided,” not just schools. Murrell said two principal concerns are existing shortages of supervising SLPs and the bill’s lack of limitation to school settings; he recommended a tiered approach so associate‑level assistants would perform a narrower set of delegated tasks while maintaining the current bachelor‑level assistant scope elsewhere.

Committee members pressed for details about program approval and oversight. Karowicz said Wallace State had earlier presented curriculum materials to the licensing board and that the board initially responded positively, but a change in board leadership led to a written denial of the college’s request to start an associate program. Karowicz and Representative Collins described ongoing discussions with the Commission on Higher Education, universities and the licensing board about a pipeline and differentiated scopes of practice for school and non‑school settings.

Representatives on the committee raised supervision questions: current rules limit the number of assistants a single SLP may supervise, and members asked whether adding associate‑level assistants would worsen supervision burdens. Proponents argued an on‑site assistant is more effective for young children than teletherapy and that a pipeline beginning at community colleges could channel students into bachelor’s and master’s programs.

No formal vote was taken at the hearing. Chairman Sanders told members the committee planned to vote the following week and encouraged members to meet with sponsors and stakeholders before a final decision.

Ending: The record includes sponsor presentations from community college and school leaders, licensing board objections focused on consumer safety and supervision, and continuing negotiations about curriculum and scope. The committee held the bill for further consideration and signaled a planned vote at a subsequent meeting.