Committee advances HB2761 after technical fixes and amendments to SLPA licensing language

The Committee on K-12 Education Budget voted to advance House Bill 2761 after adopting technical and substantive amendments that refine licensing language for speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs) and clarify disciplinary authority.

Revisor Meyer described a technical amendment to update language on page 4 so that a licensed SLPA "means any individual who meets the minimum qualifications established by this act for licensing as a speech language pathologist assistant, or pathology assistant." He also clarified that references to "secretary" should mean "the secretary of aging and disability services."

Representative Brantley successfully moved an amendment on page 6, line 22 to add: "adjust communication practices and expectations as necessary to effectively serve clients, patients, and students." Representative Steele seconded the motion and the amendment was adopted by the committee.

Representative Steele offered another amendment to replace language on page 4 with a new section clarifying that the secretary may deny, revoke, suspend, or limit licenses for assistants for specified reasons, mirroring existing statute that applies to speech-language pathologists and audiologists. Revisor Meyer said the change brings applicable grounds (including criminal convictions or violations of the act) into the assistant context; the amendment carried.

Representative McDonald raised concerns that assistants are not required to have background checks or fingerprinting. The chair and other members said the topic is the subject of separate legislation in the Senate and suggested waiting for broader action rather than adding a piecemeal amendment now.

Representative Vestas noted outreach from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) about payment and coding, and said KDHE indicated implementing payment would "require a state plan amendment." Vestas said she may bring a conceptual amendment later, pending federal acceptance of a state plan change; the chair called that a potential friendly amendment to consider on the floor.

Representative Brantley moved and Representative Schmoyer seconded that HB2761, as amended, be reported favorably out of committee; the motion passed on a voice vote and the bill was moved out of committee.

The transcript records voice approval for amendments and the final motion; no roll-call tallies were recorded.