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Debate intensifies over reinstating school 'speech aids' as pathway to expand services
Summary
HB 744 would allow speech aids in public schools to provide supervised, limited services while permanent assistant licensure and rulemaking proceed. Supporters argue it eases severe shortages in rural districts; state speech‑language professionals cautioned it risks lowering standards and urged OPI‑led training pathways instead.
Representative Melissa Nikolakakos presented HB 744 to allow speech aids to work under licensed speech‑language pathologists in public schools for limited, supervised duties. "House bill 744 will allow for speech aids who work 20% of their time under the licensed speech pathologist while learning the proper way to administer repetitive speech drills," she said, adding the measure is temporary until the Speech Pathologist Board and DLI adopt permanent rules.
Local school representatives and rural SLPs testified in…
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