House Bill 25-1075 Rerevised

A Bill for an Act

• Page 1, Line 101Concerning regulation of speech-language pathology

• Page 1, Line 102assistants.

Bill Summary

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.)

Beginning January 1, 2026, the bill authorizes the certification of an individual as a speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA). The director of the division of professions and occupations (director) in the department of regulatory agencies (DORA) may certify an applicant if the applicant demonstrates that the applicant has a bachelor's degree in speech communication, speech-language pathology, or a related field and has completed an SLPA program and a clinical practicum.

An SLPA shall practice speech-language pathology only in collaboration with and under the direction and supervision of a certified speech-language pathologist (SLP). The bill establishes requirements and guidelines for an SLP supervising an SLPA.

The bill prohibits an SLPA from engaging in certain speech-language pathology tasks, such as the diagnosis of patients and preparation of a treatment plan.

An SLPA is required to complete 10 hours of continuing education each year and is subject to discipline by the director for violations of statutes governing the practice of speech-language pathology by an SLPA.

The bill repeals SLPA certification on September 1, 2033, subject to sunset review by DORA.

The bill makes conforming amendments, including clarifying that a school SLPA authorized by the department of education to practice in schools is not automatically a DORA-certified SLPA and must apply for DORA certification.

• Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

• Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-305-102, amend

• Page 2, Line 3(1) introductory portion and (2); and add (1)(c.5) as follows:

• Page 2, Line 412-305-102.  Legislative declaration. (1)  The general assembly

• Page 2, Line 5hereby finds, determines, and declares that:

• Page 2, Line 6(c.5)  Speech-language pathology assistants enhance the

• Page 2, Line 7efficiency and extent of speech-language pathology services by

• Page 2, Line 8providing speech-language pathology servicesunder the

• Page 2, Line 9direction and supervision of speech-language pathologists and

• Page 2, Line 10will help address the critical shortage of speech-language

• Page 2, Line 11pathology services in the state; and

• Page 2, Line 12(2)  The general assembly further determines that it is the purpose

• Page 2, Line 13of this article 305 to:

• Page 2, Line 14(a)  Regulate persons individuals who are representing or holding

• Page 2, Line 15themselves out as speech-language pathologists or who are performing

• Page 3, Line 1services that constitute speech-language pathology; and

• Page 3, Line 2(b)  Exclude from regulation under this article 305 those school

• Page 3, Line 3speech-language pathologists, including school speech-language

• Page 3, Line 4pathology assistants, who are paid solely by an administrative unit or

• Page 3, Line 5state-operated program.

• Page 3, Line 6SECTION 2.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-305-104, amend

• Page 3, Line 7(2) and (3); and add (1.3), (1.4), (1.5), (2.5), (4.5), and (6) as follows:

• Page 3, Line 812-305-104.  Definitions. As used in this article 305, unless the

• Page 3, Line 9context otherwise requires:

• Page 3, Line 10(1.3)  "Certificate holder" means a speech-language

• Page 3, Line 11pathologist certified pursuant to section 12-305-107.

• Page 3, Line 12(1.4)  "Certified" means certified by the director pursuant

• Page 3, Line 13to this article 305.

• Page 3, Line 14(1.5)  "Direction and supervision" means, with respect to a

• Page 3, Line 15speech-language pathology assistant, direction and supervision

• Page 3, Line 16by a supervising speech language pathologist in accordance with

• Page 3, Line 17the requirements set forth in section 12-305-111.5.

• Page 3, Line 18(2)  "School speech-language pathologist" means a person an

• Page 3, Line 19individual licensed by the department of education to provide

• Page 3, Line 20speech-language pathology services that are paid for by an administrative

• Page 3, Line 21unit or a state-operated program. "School speech-language pathologist"

• Page 3, Line 22includes a school speech-language pathology assistant authorized by the

• Page 3, Line 23department of education pursuant to section 22-60.5-111 (10) to provide

• Page 3, Line 24speech-language pathology services that are paid for by an administrative

• Page 3, Line 25unit or a state-operated program.

• Page 3, Line 26(2.5)  "School speech-language pathology assistant"

• Page 3, Line 27means an individual authorized by the department of education

• Page 4, Line 1pursuant to section 22-60.5-111 (10) to assist a school

• Page 4, Line 2speech-language pathologist in providing speech-language

• Page 4, Line 3pathology services that are paid for by an administrative unit

• Page 4, Line 4or a state-operated program.

• Page 4, Line 5(3)  "Speech-language pathologist" or "certificate holder" means

• Page 4, Line 6a person an individual who is certified to practice speech-language

• Page 4, Line 7pathology under this article 305 pursuant to section 12-305-107 (1).

• Page 4, Line 8(4.5)  "Speech-language pathology assistant" means an

• Page 4, Line 9individual who:

• Page 4, Line 10(a)  Has successfully completed:

• Page 4, Line 11(I)  A bachelor's or higher degree in speech-language

• Page 4, Line 12pathology, communication disorders and speech sciences, or any

• Page 4, Line 13other field that includes at least twenty-four semester hours

• Page 4, Line 14in speech-language hearing sciences, granted by an accredited

• Page 4, Line 15institution of highereducation or its equivalent;

• Page 4, Line 16(II)  A speech-language pathology assistant program; and

• Page 4, Line 17(III)  A supervised clinical practicum totaling at least one

• Page 4, Line 18hundred direct hours under the supervision of a

• Page 4, Line 19speech-language pathologist; and

• Page 4, Line 20(b)  Assists in the practice of speech-language pathology

• Page 4, Line 21under the direction and supervision of a speech-language

• Page 4, Line 22pathologist pursuant to section 12-305-111.5.

• Page 4, Line 23(6)  "Supervising speech-language pathologist" or

• Page 4, Line 24"supervisor" means a speech-language pathologist who is

• Page 4, Line 25responsible for the direction and supervision of a

• Page 4, Line 26speech-language pathology assistant pursuant to section

• Page 4, Line 2712-305-111.5.

• Page 5, Line 1SECTION 3.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-305-105, amend

• Page 5, Line 2(1); and add (3) as follows:

• Page 5, Line 312-305-105.  Use of titles restricted. (1)  Only a person an

• Page 5, Line 4individual who is required to be and who is certified pursuant to this

• Page 5, Line 5article 305 as a speech-language pathologist under this article 305 or is

• Page 5, Line 6licensed by the Colorado department of education to provide

• Page 5, Line 7speech-language pathology services may advertise as or use the title

• Page 5, Line 8"speech-language pathologist", "speech pathologist", "speech therapist",

• Page 5, Line 9"speech correctionist", "speech clinician", "language pathologist", "voice

• Page 5, Line 10therapist", "voice pathologist", "aphasiologist", or any other generally

• Page 5, Line 11accepted terms, letters, or figures that indicate that the person individual

• Page 5, Line 12is a certified speech-language pathologist or a licensed

• Page 5, Line 13speech-language pathologist.

• Page 5, Line 14(3)  Only an individual who practices in accordance with

• Page 5, Line 15this article 305 as a speech-language pathology assistant or is

• Page 5, Line 16authorized by the department of education as a school

• Page 5, Line 17speech-language pathology assistant may advertise as or use

• Page 5, Line 18the title "speech-language pathology assistant" or any other

• Page 5, Line 19generally accepted terms, letters, or figures that indicate that

• Page 5, Line 20the individual is a speech-language pathology assistant or an

• Page 5, Line 21authorized school speech-language pathology assistant.

• Page 5, Line 22SECTION 4.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-305-110, amend

• Page 5, Line 23(1)(a) and (2)(a); and add (1)(c.3) and (1)(c.5) as follows:

• Page 5, Line 2412-305-110.  Scope of article - exclusions - rules. (1)  This article

• Page 5, Line 25305 does not prevent or restrict the practice, services, or activities of:

• Page 5, Line 26(a)  A school speech-language pathologist or an authorized

• Page 5, Line 27school speech-language pathology assistant whose compensation

• Page 6, Line 1for speech-language pathology services is paid solely by an administrative

• Page 6, Line 2unit or state-operated program;

• Page 6, Line 3(c.3)  A speech-language pathology assistant assisting in

• Page 6, Line 4the practice of speech-language pathology pursuant to this

• Page 6, Line 5article 305under the direction and supervision of a

• Page 6, Line 6speech-language pathologist;

• Page 6, Line 7(c.5)  An individual participating in a speech-language

• Page 6, Line 8pathology assistant program or its equivalent, as determined by

• Page 6, Line 9the director by rule, if the individual is designated by a title

• Page 6, Line 10that clearly indicates the individual's status as a student and

• Page 6, Line 11if the individual acts under appropriate instruction and

• Page 6, Line 12supervision;

• Page 6, Line 13(2)  Nothing in this article 305 requires or allows the department

• Page 6, Line 14of education, the department of health care policy and financing, or any

• Page 6, Line 15other state department to adopt or apply the standards contained in this

• Page 6, Line 16article 305:

• Page 6, Line 17(a)  As the standards for endorsing or otherwise authorizing school

• Page 6, Line 18speech-language pathologists or school speech-language pathology

• Page 6, Line 19assistants to provide speech-language pathology services that are paid

• Page 6, Line 20for by an administrative unit or state-operated program; or

• Page 6, Line 21SECTION 5.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 12-305-111

• Page 6, Line 22as follows:

• Page 6, Line 2312-305-111.  Limitations on authority - limitations specific to

• Page 6, Line 24speech-language pathology assistants. (1)  Nothing in this article 305

• Page 6, Line 25authorizes a speech-language pathologist or a speech-language

• Page 6, Line 26pathology assistant to engage in the practice of medicine, as defined

• Page 6, Line 27in section 12-240-107; dentistry, as defined in sections 12-220-104 (6)

• Page 7, Line 1and 12-220-305; or any other profession for which licensure, certification,

• Page 7, Line 2or registration is required, except as authorized by this article 305.

• Page 7, Line 3(2)  Nothing in this article 305 authorizes a

• Page 7, Line 4speech-language pathology assistant to practice

• Page 7, Line 5speech-language pathology unless the speech-language

• Page 7, Line 6pathology assistant practices under the direction and

• Page 7, Line 7supervision of a supervising speech-language pathologist.

• Page 7, Line 8(3)  A speech-language pathology assistant shall not:

• Page 7, Line 9(a)  Represent themself as a speech-language pathologist;

• Page 7, Line 10(b)  Interpret assessment tools for the purpose of

• Page 7, Line 11diagnosing disability or determining eligibility or qualification

• Page 7, Line 12for services;

• Page 7, Line 13(c)  Administer or interpret feeding or swallowing

• Page 7, Line 14screenings, checklists, or assessments;

• Page 7, Line 15(d)  Diagnose communication and feeding or swallowing

• Page 7, Line 16disorders;

• Page 7, Line 17(e)  Develop or determine the feeding or swallowing

• Page 7, Line 18strategies or precautions for patients;

• Page 7, Line 19(f)  Disclose clinical or confidential information,

• Page 7, Line 20including diagnoses, services provided, or response to

• Page 7, Line 21treatment, either orally or in writing, to individuals who have

• Page 7, Line 22not been approved by the supervising speech-language

• Page 7, Line 23pathologist to receive information, unless mandated by law;

• Page 7, Line 24(g)  Write, develop, or modify a patient's plan of care in

• Page 7, Line 25any way;

• Page 7, Line 26(h)  Make referrals for additional services;

• Page 7, Line 27(i)  Select augmentative and alternative communication

• Page 8, Line 1systems or devices;

• Page 8, Line 2(j)  Treat medically fragile patients who are acutely ill

• Page 8, Line 3and in an unstable health condition without continuous, direct

• Page 8, Line 4supervision by a supervising speech-language pathologist, which

• Page 8, Line 5may include synchronous or live telesupervision;

• Page 8, Line 6(k)  Perform procedures that require specialized

• Page 8, Line 7knowledge and training, including vocal tract prosthesis

• Page 8, Line 8shaping or fitting or vocal tract imaging;

• Page 8, Line 9(l)  Provide input in care conferences, case conferences, or

• Page 8, Line 10interdisciplinary team meetings without the presence or prior

• Page 8, Line 11approval of a supervising speech-language pathologist or other

• Page 8, Line 12designated speech-language pathologist;

• Page 8, Line 13(m)  Provide interpretative information to a patient or

• Page 8, Line 14others regarding the patient's status or service; or

• Page 8, Line 15(n)  Sign or initial any formal documents, including plans

• Page 8, Line 16of care, reimbursement forms, or reports, that are not also

• Page 8, Line 17signed by a supervising speech-language pathologist.

• Page 8, Line 18SECTION 6.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 12-305-111.5 as

• Page 8, Line 19follows:

• Page 8, Line 2012-305-111.5.  Direction and supervision of speech-language

• Page 8, Line 21pathology assistants by speech-language pathologists - definitions.

• Page 8, Line 22(1)  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise

• Page 8, Line 23requires:

• Page 8, Line 24(a)  "Direct supervision" means in-view observation and

• Page 8, Line 25guidance by a supervising speech-language pathologist while the

• Page 8, Line 26speech-language pathology assistant is performing a clinical

• Page 8, Line 27activity. "Direct supervision" may include the supervising

• Page 9, Line 1speech-language pathologist communicating with the

• Page 9, Line 2speech-language pathology assistant via telecommunication

• Page 9, Line 3technology during the speech-language pathology assistant's

• Page 9, Line 4provision of clinical services.

• Page 9, Line 5(b)  "Indirect supervision" means supervision during which

• Page 9, Line 6a speech-language pathologist is not required to be physically

• Page 9, Line 7present or available via telecommunication technology while

• Page 9, Line 8the speech-language pathology assistant is providing services.

• Page 9, Line 9"Indirect supervision" may include:

• Page 9, Line 10(I)  Reviewing demonstration videos;

• Page 9, Line 11(II)  Reviewing patient files;

• Page 9, Line 12(III)  Reviewing and evaluating audio or video recorded

• Page 9, Line 13sessions; or

• Page 9, Line 14(IV)  Conducting supervisory conferences either in person

• Page 9, Line 15or via telephone or in live, secure virtual meetings.

• Page 9, Line 16(2)  A speech-language pathology assistant shall practice

• Page 9, Line 17speech-language pathology onlyunder the direction and

• Page 9, Line 18supervision of a speech-language pathologist.

• Page 9, Line 19(3)  A supervising speech-language pathologist is

• Page 9, Line 20responsible for the direction and supervision of a

• Page 9, Line 21speech-language pathology assistant's practice of

• Page 9, Line 22speech-language pathology. The level of supervision must be

• Page 9, Line 23based on the needs, competencies, skills, expectations,

• Page 9, Line 24philosophies, and experience of the speech-language pathology

• Page 9, Line 25assistant and the supervisor; the needs of the patient served; the

• Page 9, Line 26service setting; the tasks assigned; and any other relevant

• Page 9, Line 27factors. The supervising speech-language pathologist is

• Page 10, Line 1responsible for designing and implementing a written

• Page 10, Line 2supervisory plan to outline the practices of the supervising

• Page 10, Line 3speech-language pathologist and to document progress. A

• Page 10, Line 4supervisor shall not assign tasks to a speech-language

• Page 10, Line 5pathology assistant that are beyond the level of competence of

• Page 10, Line 6the speech-language pathology assistant or that are beyond

• Page 10, Line 7the scope of a speech-language pathology assistant's practice.

• Page 10, Line 8The care of the patient remains the supervising speech-language

• Page 10, Line 9pathologist's responsibility.

• Page 10, Line 10(4)  A supervising speech-language pathologist shall

• Page 10, Line 11determine the appropriate number of speech-language pathology

• Page 10, Line 12assistants whose practice may be supervised, with anumber

• Page 10, Line 13for supervision of no more than threespeech-language

• Page 10, Line 14pathology assistants per speech-language pathologist. The

• Page 10, Line 15factors to consider in determining supervision ratios include

• Page 10, Line 16caseload characteristics, the speech-language pathology

• Page 10, Line 17assistant's experience, and the speech-language pathologist's

• Page 10, Line 18experience and workload.

• Page 10, Line 19(5)  Before a speech-language pathology assistant begins

• Page 10, Line 20to provide independent support to a patient, the supervising

• Page 10, Line 21speech-language pathologist shall initiate first contact with

• Page 10, Line 22the patient and prepare a plan of care for the patient. After the

• Page 10, Line 23establishment of the supervisory relationship, minimum ongoing

• Page 10, Line 24supervision must include documentation of direct supervision

• Page 10, Line 25provided by the supervisor for each patient at least every thirty

• Page 10, Line 26to sixty days, depending on the frequency of the sessions and

• Page 10, Line 27setting, and the supervisor shall review patient data. The

• Page 11, Line 1supervisor shall adjust the amount of supervision based on the

• Page 11, Line 2speech-language pathology assistant's competencies and skill

• Page 11, Line 3level in treating patients who have a variety of communication

• Page 11, Line 4disorders. The supervising speech-language pathologist shall

• Page 11, Line 5accurately document and regularly record all supervisory

• Page 11, Line 6activities, for both direct and indirect supervision. For

• Page 11, Line 7medically fragile patients who are acutely ill and in an

• Page 11, Line 8unstable health condition, the supervisor shall provide one

• Page 11, Line 9hundred percent direct supervision of the speech-language

• Page 11, Line 10pathology assistant, which may be through synchronous or live

• Page 11, Line 11telesupervision.

• Page 11, Line 12(6)  A supervisor shall provide feedback regarding the

• Page 11, Line 13quality of a speech-language pathology assistant's performance

• Page 11, Line 14of assigned tasks. Information obtained during direct

• Page 11, Line 15supervision may include data relative to the reliability between

• Page 11, Line 16the speech-language pathology assistant and the supervisor on

• Page 11, Line 17correct or incorrect recording of target behavior, accuracy in

• Page 11, Line 18implementing assigned treatment procedures and in recording

• Page 11, Line 19data, and the ability to interact effectively with the patient

• Page 11, Line 20during the presentation and implementation of assigned

• Page 11, Line 21procedures and activities.

• Page 11, Line 22(7)  A speech-language pathology assistant shall not

• Page 11, Line 23perform tasks when a supervisor cannot be reached by personal

• Page 11, Line 24contact, via phone, or by other immediate electronic means. If

• Page 11, Line 25for some reason a supervisor becomes unable to continue

• Page 11, Line 26supervision, the speech-language pathology assistant shall not

• Page 11, Line 27perform speech-language pathology tasks until another

• Page 12, Line 1qualified supervisor is available to supervise.

• Page 12, Line 2SECTION 7.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-305-112, amend

• Page 12, Line 3(2) introductory portion, (2)(r),and (2)(s)(II); and add (2)(t) as follows:

• Page 12, Line 412-305-112.  Grounds for discipline - definitions. (2)  The

• Page 12, Line 5director may take disciplinary or other action specified in section

• Page 12, Line 612-20-404 or 12-305-113 or issue a cease-and-desist order to a certificate

• Page 12, Line 7holderor a speech-language pathology assistantin accordance

• Page 12, Line 8with sections 12-20-405 and 12-305-113 (8) upon proof that the

• Page 12, Line 9certificate holder:

• Page 12, Line 10(r)  Has otherwise violated any a provision of this article 305 or

• Page 12, Line 11lawful order or rule of the director; or

• Page 12, Line 12(s)  Has committed:

• Page 12, Line 13(II)  An abuse of health insurance, as set forth in section

• Page 12, Line 1418-13-119; or

• Page 12, Line 15(t)  Has failed to properly direct and supervise a

• Page 12, Line 16speech-language pathology assistant who is under the

• Page 12, Line 17speech-language pathologist's direction and supervision

• Page 12, Line 18pursuant to section 12-305-111.5.

• Page 12, Line 19SECTION 8.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-34-104, amend

• Page 12, Line 20(34)(a)(III) as follows:

• Page 12, Line 2124-34-104.  General assembly review of regulatory agencies

• Page 12, Line 22and functions for repeal, continuation, or reestablishment - legislative

• Page 12, Line 23declaration - repeal. (34) (a)  The following agencies, functions, or both,

• Page 12, Line 24are scheduled for repeal on September 1, 2033:

• Page 12, Line 25(III)  The regulation of speech-language pathologists and

• Page 12, Line 26speech-language pathology assistants by the director of the

• Page 12, Line 27division of professions and occupations in accordance with article 305 of

• Page 13, Line 1title 12;

• Page 13, Line 2SECTION 9.  Act subject to petition - effective date. This act

• Page 13, Line 3takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the

• Page 13, Line 4ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except

• Page 13, Line 5that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V

• Page 13, Line 6of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this

• Page 13, Line 7act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take

• Page 13, Line 8effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in

• Page 13, Line 9November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the

• Page 13, Line 10official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.