NOTE: The governor signed this measure on 5/29/2015.
      
      
      HOUSE BILL 15-1373
      
      
      BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Singer, Conti, Fields, Ginal, Hamner,
      Kraft-Tharp, Lebsock, Melton, Moreno, Pettersen, Primavera, Ryden,
      Salazar, Tyler, Windholz, Young;
      also SENATOR(S) Aguilar, Baumgardner, Garcia, Kefalas,
      Martinez Humenik, Merrifield, Newell, Todd.
      
      
      Concerning the creation of a provisional certification to
           practice speech-language pathology.
       
      
      Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
      
           SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 12-43.7-106.5 as
      follows:
      
           12-43.7-106.5.  Provisional certification - qualifications -
      application - expiration - practice. (1)  Educational and experiential
      requirements. An applicant for a provisional certification as a
      speech-language pathologist must:
      
           (a)  Successfully complete a master's or higher degree in
      communication sciences and disorders granted by an accredited
      institution of higher education recognized by the United States
      department of education; and
      
           (b)  Pass either:
      
           (I)  The national examination adopted by the American
      Speech-Language-Hearing Association or its successor
      association; or
      
           (II)  Any other examination approved by the director.
      
           (2)  Application. On or after September 1, 2015, an applicant
      may apply for provisional certification in the manner required by
      the director. The applicant shall submit an application fee with
      the application in an amount determined by the director. If the
      applicant will provide speech-language pathology services to
      patients, the applicant also shall submit proof that he or she has
      purchased and is maintaining or is covered by professional
      liability insurance in an amount determined by the director by
      rule. Additionally, the applicant shall submit a plan for the
      completion of a speech-language pathology clinical fellowship,
      as specified in section 12-43.7-106 (1) (b).
      
           (3)  Provisional certification. (a)  Except as provided in
      paragraph (b) of this subsection (3), when an applicant has
      fulfilled the requirements of subsections (1) and (2) of this
      section, the director shall issue a provisional certification to the
      applicant.
      
           (b)  The director may deny a provisional certification if the
      applicant has committed any act that would be grounds for
      disciplinary action under section 12-43.7-110.
      
           (4)  Expiration of provisional certification. (a)  A provisional
      certification expires twenty-four months after issuance or upon
      the issuance of certification to the applicant under section
      12-43.7-106, whichever occurs first.
      
           (b)  The director shall not renew a provisional
      certification.
      
           (c)  A provisional certificate holder may apply for
      certification in accordance with section 12-43.7-106 upon
      completion of a speech-language pathology clinical fellowship.
      
           (5)  Practice. A provisional certificate holder may practice
      speech-language pathology only under the general supervision
      of a speech-language pathologist who holds a certificate of
      clinical competence awarded by the American
      Speech-Language-Hearing Association in accordance with the
      clinical fellowship requirements of the American
      Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
      
           SECTION 2.  Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds,
      determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
      preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.
      
      
      
      
      ________________________________________________________
      Dickey Lee Hullinghorst                Bill L. Cadman
      SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE                     PRESIDENT OF
      OF REPRESENTATIVES                         THE SENATE
      
      
      
      
      
      
      ____________________________  ____________________________
      Marilyn Eddins                      Cindi L. Markwell
      CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE                 SECRETARY OF
      OF REPRESENTATIVES                         THE SENATE
      
      
      
      
                  APPROVED________________________________________
      
      
      
      
      
                                    _________________________________________
                                    John W. Hickenlooper
                                    GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO