SPEECH/PATH/AUDIO: Requests the Louisiana Board of Examiners for Speech-Language and Pathology and Audiology to study and report on current licensure and regulatory requirements for speech-language assistants in Louisiana

This resolution directs the Louisiana Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, along with state health and education departments, to study the current licensing rules for speech-language pathology assistants. The study will compare Louisiana's requirements with those of other states and analyze how these rules affect workforce availability, especially in rural areas, while ensuring patient safety is not compromised. By February 2027, the board must submit a report with specific recommendations on whether to adjust educational prerequisites, clinical hour requirements, or supervision models to better balance access to services with professional standards.