HB 25-1075: Regulate Speech-Language Pathology Assistants - Colorado

Revised (03/31/2025) → PA2 (03/27/2025) · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill version changed from a revised final version to a pre-amended committee draft, indicating it is not yet officially adopted. The substantive change adds new educational requirements for Speech-Language Pathology Assistants, requiring a bachelor's or higher degree in speech-language pathology, communication disorders, speech sciences, or related fields with at least 24 semester hours in speech-language hearing sciences from an accredited institution.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on regulating speech-language pathology assistants, but the eligibility criteria for this role have been expanded to include specific degree and coursework requirements.

ELIGIBILITY

Added new educational requirements for Speech-Language Pathology Assistants, mandating a bachelor's or higher degree in relevant fields with at least 24 semester hours in speech-language hearing sciences from an accredited institution.

TECHNICAL

Changed document status from 'Revised' (adopted amendments) to 'Preamended' (unofficial committee version), indicating this is a draft version not yet adopted by the legislature.

Rerevised (04/01/2025) → Revised (03/31/2025) · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was revised to remove the Senate's 3rd Reading status and update the revision date from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025. Additionally, the definition of 'Speech-language pathologist' was expanded to clarify that the term includes individuals certified to practice under the relevant section, and a new definition for 'Speech-language pathology assistant' was added to establish a distinct category for support staff.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded by adding a formal definition for 'Speech-language pathology assistant', which likely clarifies the roles and responsibilities of support personnel working alongside certified speech-language pathologists.

TECHNICAL

Removed the '3rd Reading Unamended' status and the April 1, 2025 Senate revision date, updating the document to reflect a March 31, 2025 revision instead.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'Speech-language pathology assistant' to formally recognize this role within the bill.

Modified the definition of 'Speech-language pathologist' to explicitly state that the term refers to an individual certified to practice under the specified section.

PA1 (01/31/2025) → Rerevised (04/01/2025) · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered and expanded its sponsor list to include additional legislators. The bill's title and purpose were updated to clarify that speech-language pathology assistants provide services under the direction and supervision of speech-language pathologists. The definition of a speech-language pathology assistant was significantly modified to remove specific educational requirements, instead allowing certification based on a bachelor's degree in speech communication, speech-language pathology, or a related field. A new definition for 'supervising speech-language pathologist' was added.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include additional sponsors and clarified the supervisory relationship between speech-language pathologists and assistants.

ELIGIBILITY

Educational requirements for speech-language pathology assistants were changed from specific degree programs to a broader bachelor's degree in speech communication, speech-language pathology, or a related field.

DEFINITION

New definition for 'supervising speech-language pathologist' was added to clarify supervisory responsibilities.

REQUIREMENT

The bill's language regarding service provision was updated to emphasize services provided under the direction and supervision of speech-language pathologists.

TECHNICAL

Bill was renumbered and sponsor lists were expanded to include additional legislators.

Final Act (04/29/2025) → PA1 (01/31/2025) · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill introduces a new certification pathway for Speech-Language Pathology Assistants (SLPAs) in Colorado, effective January 1, 2026, while maintaining existing exemptions for school-based assistants. The legislation establishes specific educational and training requirements for certification, including a bachelor's degree and supervised clinical practicum, and sets a sunset provision for the certification program in 2033.

Scope change

The bill expands regulatory oversight to include newly certified SLPAs under the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), while preserving the exemption for school speech-language pathologists and assistants who are solely funded by administrative units or state programs.

ELIGIBILITY

New certification requirements established for SLPAs, including a bachelor's degree in speech communication or related field and completion of an SLPA program with clinical practicum.

TIMELINE

Certification program effective January 1, 2026, with sunset provision requiring review by September 1, 2033.

DEFINITION

Updated definitions to clarify that school SLPAs authorized by the Department of Education are not automatically DORA-certified and must apply for separate certification.

REQUIREMENT

Mandatory continuing education requirement of 10 hours annually for certified SLPAs.

ENFORCEMENT

Director of DORA granted authority to discipline SLPAs for violations of practice statutes.

Signed Act (05/05/2025) → Final Act (04/29/2025) · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill adds a new legislative declaration recognizing speech-language pathology assistants and clarifies definitions related to their role and supervision. The changes include correcting typographical errors in the definitions section and updating references to ensure consistency in terminology. These modifications help standardize how speech-language pathology assistants are described and regulated within Colorado law.

Scope change

The bill maintains its original scope but adds formal recognition of speech-language pathology assistants in the legislative declaration and clarifies their role in the definitions section.

DEFINITION

Added a new legislative declaration (C.5) recognizing that speech-language pathology assistants enhance service efficiency and help address provider shortages.

Corrected typographical errors in the definition of 'certificate holder' and clarified the definition of 'direction and supervision' to reference the correct section number.

Fixed formatting and spelling errors in the definition of 'speech-language pathologist' to improve clarity and consistency.

Reengrossed (02/04/2025) → Signed Act (05/05/2025) · 5 edits · May 5, 2025

MODERATE

This bill amends Colorado statutes to regulate speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs) by establishing new definitions, certification requirements, and scope of practice. The changes clarify that school-based SLPAs paid by administrative units are excluded from state regulation, while other SLPAs must complete specific educational and clinical training requirements to be certified. The bill also adds new definitions for key terms and restricts who can use professional titles related to speech-language pathology.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include new definitions and requirements for speech-language pathology assistants, while explicitly excluding school-based SLPAs paid by administrative units or state programs from state regulation.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'Certificate Holder', 'Certified', 'Direction and Supervision', 'School Speech-Language Pathologist', 'School Speech-Language Pathology Assistant', 'Speech-Language Pathologist', 'Speech-Language Pathology Assistant', and 'Supervising Speech-Language Pathologist'.

REQUIREMENT

Established educational requirements for SLPAs including a bachelor's degree with specific coursework and completion of a supervised clinical practicum totaling at least 100 direct hours.

ENFORCEMENT

Restricted who can use professional titles like 'speech-language pathologist' or 'speech-language pathology assistant' to only those certified by the state or authorized by the Department of Education.

SCOPE

Clarified that school speech-language pathologists and assistants paid solely by administrative units or state-operated programs are excluded from state regulation under this article.

EXEMPTIONS

Added exemptions for individuals participating in speech-language pathology assistant programs if they are designated by a title clearly indicating student status and act under appropriate instruction and supervision.

Engrossed (02/03/2025) → Reengrossed (02/04/2025) · 2 edits · Apr 1, 2025

MINOR

The bill was reengrossed to include additional co-sponsors and updated formatting. The substantive policy content remains unchanged from the previous engrossed version, with no new requirements, funding, or eligibility criteria added or removed.

TECHNICAL

Added five new co-sponsors (Bacon, Boesenecker, Duran, Froelich, Hamrick, Lindsay, Lindstedt, Marshall, Stewart K., Stewart R.) to the House sponsorship list.

Updated header text from 'ENGROSSED' to 'REENGROSSED' and changed the summary note to indicate a 3rd Reading Unamended version will be available.

Introduced (01/08/2025) → Engrossed (02/03/2025) · 6 edits · Apr 1, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was amended to clarify that speech-language pathology assistants must work under the direction and supervision of licensed speech-language pathologists. The changes also update the legislative declaration to explicitly recognize speech-language pathology assistants as enhancing service efficiency and address workforce shortages. Additionally, the bill now explicitly excludes school-based speech-language pathologists and assistants paid by administrative units or state programs from regulation under this article.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include speech-language pathology assistants as a regulated category while simultaneously creating exemptions for school-based professionals paid by administrative units or state programs.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'certificate holder', 'certified', 'direction and supervision', 'school speech-language pathologist', and 'speech-language pathology assistant' to clarify regulatory requirements.

ELIGIBILITY

Updated eligibility criteria for speech-language pathology assistants to require completion of a specific program and supervised clinical practicum totaling at least 100 direct hours.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that speech-language pathology assistants must practice in collaboration with and under the direction and supervision of speech-language pathologists.

Created exemption for school speech-language pathologists and assistants paid solely by administrative units or state-operated programs from regulation under this article.

ENFORCEMENT

Modified disciplinary provisions to include speech-language pathology assistants alongside speech-language pathologists in regulatory oversight.

SCOPE

Added legislative declaration recognizing speech-language pathology assistants as enhancing service efficiency and helping address critical shortages.

Regulate Speech-Language Pathology Assistants

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