BEFORE THE BOARD OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS

AND AUDIOLOGISTS

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY

STATE OF MONTANA

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In the matter of the amendment of ARM ) NOTICE OF AMENDMENT

24.222.301 definitions, 24.222.502 and� )

24.222 506 licensure, 24.222.507����������)

temporary practice permits, 24.222.701 )

and 24.222.702 supervision, 24.222.703 )

functions of aides or assistants, and�������)

24.222.2102 continuing education����������)

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TO: All Concerned Persons

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1. On December 20, 2007, the Board of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (board) published MAR Notice No. 24-222-22 regarding the proposed amendment of the above-stated rules, at page 2054 of the 2007 Montana Administrative Register, issue no. 24.

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2. On January 14, 2008, a public hearing was held on the proposed amendment of the above-stated rules in Helena. Several comments were received by the January 22, 2008, deadline.

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3. The board has thoroughly considered the comments and testimony received. A summary of the comments received and the board's responses are as follows:

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COMMENT 1: One commenter offered general support of the proposed changes.

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RESPONSE 1: The board acknowledges and appreciates all rulemaking comments.

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COMMENT 2: One commenter suggested deleting all references to level III speech-language pathology aides/assistants throughout the board's rules.

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RESPONSE 2: The board views all levels of registered aides/assistants as necessary and is not deleting the level III aides/assistants from the rules.

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COMMENT 3: A commenter suggested adding several supervisor qualifications to the definition of supervision in ARM 24.222.301.

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RESPONSE 3: The board notes that the supervisor requirements are adequately set forth at ARM 24.222.701 and is amending the rule exactly as proposed.

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COMMENT 4: One commenter supported deleting the board's proposed amendments to the supervision schedule in ARM 24.222.702 and provided entirely different requirements.

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RESPONSE 4: The board and its supervision committee discussed the issue extensively and considered numerous supervision schedules before proposing the clearest supervision requirements that still ensure adequate public protection. The board is amending the rule exactly as proposed.

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COMMENT 5: One commenter supported deleting the board's proposed amendments to ARM 24.222.703(4) in their entirety.

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RESPONSE 5: The board and its supervision committee worked extensively on this rule to delete the term "nonallowable functions" and clarify the ability of aides/assistants I to perform diagnostic evaluations under specific conditions. The board is amending the rule exactly as proposed.

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COMMENT 6: A commenter suggested increasing the continuing education (CE) requirements for speech-language pathology aides/assistants II and audiology aides/assistants from ten to 20 units in ARM 24.222.2102.

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RESPONSE 6: The board discussed CE requirements for all levels of aides/assistants and decided not to increase the CE for these aides/assistants. The board is amending the rule exactly as proposed.

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4. The Board of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists has amended ARM 24.222.301, 24.222.502, 24.222.506, 24.222.507, 24.222.701, 24.222.702, 24.222.703, and 24.222.2102 exactly as proposed.

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BOARD OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE

PATHOLOGISTS AND AUDIOLOGISTS

DARRELL MICKEN, Au.D, CHAIRPERSON

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/s/ DARCEE L. MOE�������/s/ KEITH KELLY

Darcee L. Moe����������������Keith Kelly, Commissioner

Alternate Rule Reviewer�� DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY

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Certified to the Secretary of State February 19, 2008