Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky SB177: AN ACT relating to speech-language pathologists.
Status: In committee, March 6, 2026
Amend KRS 334A.035 to remove the requirement of needing to complete postgraduate professional experience to be completed under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist who holds a Kentucky license; amend KRS 334a.050, 334A.020, and 344A.085 to conform.
What the bill says
An act relating to speech-language pathologists.
From the engrossed text:
AN ACT relating to speech-language pathologists. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: Section 1. KRS 334A.020 is amended to read as follows: As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Assisting in the practice of speech pathology" means the provision of certain specific components of a speech or language service program provided by a speechlanguage pathology assistant under the supervision and direction of an appropriately qualified supervisor; (2) "Audiologist" means one who is licensed to practice audiology. An audiologist may describe himself or herself to the public by any title or description of services incorporating the words "audiologist," "audiology," "audiological," "hearing center," "hearing clinic," "hearing clinician," "hearing therapist," "audiometry," "audiometrist," "audiometrics," "otometry," "otometrist," "aural rehabilitationist," or "hearing conservationist"; (3) "Board" means the Kentucky Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology; (4) "Continuing professional education" in speech-language pathology and audiology consists of planned learning experiences beyond a basic educational program leading to a degree. These experiences are designed to promote knowledge, skills, and attitudes of speech-language pathology and audiology practitioners to enable them to provide professional services in their areas of training that are based on current research and best practices; (5) "Interim license" means a license issued by the board pursuant to KRS 334A.035 to a person for the purpose of completing …
Sponsors
- Rick Girdler (R, SD-015) · primary sponsor
- Julie Raque Adams (R, SD-036)
Latest actions
- : to Committee on Committees (H)
- : received in House
- : 3rd reading, passed 36-1 with Committee Substitute (1)
- : posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, March 05 2026
- : 2nd reading, to Rules
- : reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
- : to Licensing & Occupations (S)
- : to Committee on Committees (S)
- : introduced in Senate
Votes
- Senate: PASS SB 177 w/ SCS 1 (SCS 1) RSN# 3885 (March 5, 2026): 36 yea, 1 nay, passed
Subjects: Occupations And Professions, Licensing, Boards And Commissions
Common questions
- What is SB177?
- SB177 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to speech-language pathologists.
- What does SB177 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to speech-language pathologists.
- What is the status of SB177?
- In committee as of March 6, 2026. Latest action: to Committee on Committees (H) (March 6, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB177?
- Rick Girdler (R, SD-015), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for SB177?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/sb177.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.