HB 2591 Missouri House · 2026 Regular Session

Modifies provisions relating to clinical fellowships required for licensure as a speech-language pathologist

HB 2591 modifies Missouri's requirements for becoming a licensed speech-language pathologist. It adds a new requirement that applicants must complete a supervised clinical fellowship under a licensed speech-language pathologist after meeting educational and exam standards. The bill specifies that this fellowship period must follow the completion of a master's or doctoral degree from an accredited program and submission of equivalent coursework transcripts. Applicants with an audiology clinical doctoral degree are exempt from this fellowship requirement. The changes apply directly to individuals seeking licensure in this profession.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Dec 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Dec 29, 2025 Last action Apr 29, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Senate Committee Substitute → Perfected · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was significantly streamlined from a comprehensive residential care reform package into a single, focused licensure requirement for speech-language pathologists. The original text, which repealed and replaced multiple sections regarding nursing homes and assisted living facilities, was entirely removed. The final version only addresses the specific educational and examination standards required for speech-language pathologists to obtain a license in Missouri.

Scope change

The bill's scope was drastically narrowed; it no longer covers residential care facilities, assisted living standards, or Medicaid reimbursement thresholds, focusing exclusively on speech-language pathologist licensure.

SCOPE

All provisions regarding residential care facilities, assisted living facilities, and Medicaid reimbursement thresholds were deleted.

REQUIREMENT

New specific requirements were added for speech-language pathologist licensure, including a master's or doctoral degree from an accredited program, official transcripts, and completion of a clinical fellowship.

A requirement was added for applicants to pass an examination promulgated or approved by the licensing board.

ELIGIBILITY

The eligibility criteria for licensure were changed from a broad set of facility regulations to specific academic and examination standards for speech-language pathologists.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

SCS Reported Do Pass (S)

upper

Apr 14, 2026

Upper · Passed

SCS Voted Do Pass (S)

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Committee

Second read and referred: Emerging Issues and Professional Registration(S)

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Read and Passed (H) - AYES: 144 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Perfected with Amendments (H) - HA 1, adopted

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 10 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Voted Do Pass (H)

lower

Jan 27, 2026

Committee

Referred: Rules - Administrative(H)

lower

Jan 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 20 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0

lower

Jan 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

Voted Do Pass (H)

lower

Jan 8, 2026

Committee

Referred: Professional Registration and Licensing(H)

lower

Dec 29, 2025

Introduced

Prefiled (H)

lower

1 primary · 3 co-sponsors