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SB 177 Kentucky Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT relating to speech-language pathologists.

Summary
Amend KRS 334A.035 to remove the requirement of needing to complete postgraduate professional experience to be completed under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist who holds a Kentucky license; amend KRS 334a.050, 334A.020, and 344A.085 to conform.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 10, 2026 Last action Mar 6, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Current/Final · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill updates the definitions and scope of practice for speech-language pathologists and audiologists in Kentucky. It clarifies that speech-language pathology assistants are restricted to working only within the public school system under supervision, while audiologists retain the ability to use various professional titles. The text also includes minor formatting adjustments to align with official legislative standards.
Scope change
The scope of practice for speech-language pathology assistants is narrowed to explicitly limit their work to the public school system, whereas audiologists maintain broader title usage rights.
DEFINITION

Added a specific definition for 'Speech-language pathology assistant' stating they may only work under supervision within the public school system.

Updated the definition of 'Audiologist' to list specific allowable titles and descriptions of services they may use when describing themselves to the public.

Removed a deleted line regarding the definition of 'Interim license' that contained bracketed text, likely indicating a revision to the supervised experience requirement.

TECHNICAL

Corrected formatting and page header information to reflect the current bill number (SB 177) and updated date stamps.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 5, 2026

How they voted

42–1
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 44
Mar 5, 2026
D Democratic6
6 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican38
36 Yea 1 Nay 1
94% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
9
Key actions
2
Committee
4
Mar 6, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (H)
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
3rd reading, passed 36-1 with Committee Substitute (1)
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
upper
Feb 27, 2026
Committee
to Licensing & Occupations (S)
upper
Feb 10, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (S)
upper
Feb 10, 2026
Introduced
introduced in Senate
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.