HR 387

ENROLLED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 387
BY REPRESENTATIVE CHASSION
  A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Louisiana Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and
       Audiology, in collaboration with the Louisiana Department of Health and the
       Louisiana Department of Education and with stakeholder input from the Louisiana
       Speech-Language-Hearing Association, to study and report on licensure and
       regulatory requirements for speech-language pathology assistants in this state.
       WHEREAS, speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs) play a critical role in
expanding access to speech and language services across healthcare and educational settings;
and
       WHEREAS, this state currently requires speech-language pathology assistants to
hold at a minimum a bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology or a related field and
complete significant clinical practicum hours, including approximately two hundred
twenty-five clinical hours for full licensure; and
       WHEREAS, state law further requires supervised clinical training and ongoing
supervision by licensed speech-language pathologists to ensure quality of care and
professional accountability; and
       WHEREAS, other states utilize a range of regulatory frameworks for
speech-language pathology assistants; and
       WHEREAS, variation among states presents an opportunity for comparative analysis
to determine whether this state’s requirements create unnecessary barriers to workforce entry
while maintaining a commitment to high standards of care; and
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HR NO. 387  ENROLLED
       WHEREAS, workforce shortages in speech-language pathology services, particularly
in rural and medically underserved areas and schools, underscore the need to evaluate
pathways that responsibly expand the pipeline of qualified assistants; and
       WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the state to ensure that regulatory frameworks
both protect the public and promote the growth, accessibility, and sustainability of the
profession.
       THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the Louisiana Board of Examiners for
Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, in collaboration with the Louisiana Department
of Health and the state Department of Education, and with stakeholder input from the
Louisiana Speech-Language-Hearing Association, to conduct a comprehensive study of
licensure and regulatory requirements for speech-language pathology assistants in this state.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study shall include, but not be limited to, all
of the following:
       (1) A detailed review of state requirements for speech-language pathology assistants,
including all of the following:
       (a) Educational prerequisites.
       (b) Clinical practicum and supervision requirements.
       (c) Licensure categories including provisional licensure.
       (d) Continuing education and renewal standards.
       (2) A comparative analysis of other state regulations and policies for all of the
following:
       (a) Clinical hour requirements.
       (b) Supervision models.
       (c) Alternative or expedited workforce entry pathways.
       (3) An evaluation of professional and workforce outcomes including all of the
following:
       (a) Workforce supply and demand trends.
       (b) Access to services in rural and underserved areas.
       (c) Retention and career advancement pathways.
       (d) Impact of regulatory structures on service delivery capacity.
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HR NO. 387  ENROLLED
       (4) An assessment of regulatory burden including identification of requirements that
may unnecessarily limit entry into the profession and administrative or procedural barriers
to licensure or practice.
       (5) An analysis of best practices including models that successfully balance
accessibility and professional rigor and align with national standards.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the report contain specific, actionable
recommendations to do all of the following:
       (1) Incentivize growth of the speech-language pathology assistant workforce.
       (2) Reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens.
       (3) Maintain or enhance professional quality, ethics, and patient outcomes.
       (4)     Improve this state's competitiveness in attracting and retaining qualified
professionals.
       (5) Proposed statutory or regulatory changes, if warranted.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in developing recommendations, the entities
shall ensure that any proposed reforms do not dilute the rigor, professionalism, or quality
standards; preserve appropriate supervision and patient safety safeguards; and reflect
stakeholder consensus, if feasible.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Board of Examiners for Speech-
Language Pathology and Audiology shall submit a written report of its findings and
recommendations to the House and Senate committees on health and welfare no later than
February 1, 2027.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
executive director of the Louisiana Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and
Audiology, the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, the secretary of the state
Department of Education, and the president of the Louisiana Speech-Language-Hearing
Association.
  SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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