SB130 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Linda Coleman-MadisonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact, established to authorize licensees to practice among compact member states

Summary

Alabama adopts the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact to let licensed professionals practice across member states while preserving state licensure authority.

What This Bill Does

The bill creates a national compact with a coordinating Commission and a data system to manage licensure, conduct, and disciplinary information across member states. It allows a licensee with a home-state license to practice in other member states through a compact privilege, as long as they meet home-state qualifications and follow remote-state rules, including telehealth. It sets education, practicum, national exam, and background-check requirements for audiologists and speech-language pathologists, and establishes procedures for adverse actions, investigations, and cross-state enforcement. It also outlines how the compact will be funded, governed, and implemented, including rules for withdrawal and amendments.

Who It Affects

• Licensed audiologists and speech-language pathologists: may obtain and use a compact privilege to practice in other member states, must maintain a valid home-state license, meet specific eligibility and conduct requirements, and remain subject to both home-state and remote-state regulations.
• Patients and the public in Alabama and other member states: potentially gain greater access to audiology and speech-language pathology services, including via telehealth, with care delivered where the patient is located and professionals regulated across states.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Compact Commission with defined membership, rulemaking authority, budgeting, and dispute resolution powers.
• Allows a licensee to practice in other member states under a compact privilege, requiring an active home-state license, no encumbrances, eligibility for privilege, and absence of adverse actions within the prior two years; requires notification to the commission when seeking the privilege and allows deactivation of privileges if the home-state license becomes encumbered.
• Sets licensure requirements for audiologists and speech-language pathologists, including accredited education, supervised practicum, national exams, and identification numbers, plus background checks and no felony convictions.
• Creates a coordinated Data System to share licensure data, adverse actions, and investigative information among member states, with prompt notification of actions and protections for non-confidential information.
• Recognizes telehealth under the compact, allowing practice across member states and requiring adherence to the remote state's laws where the client is located.
• Outlines cross-state enforcement and adverse-action procedures, including home-state primacy, suspension of privileges in remote states when the home state acts, and joint investigations.
• Provides for funding of the Commission through member-state assessments or fees, and requires open meetings and public access to most proceedings, with certain confidential exemptions.
• Describes implementation, withdrawal, and amendment processes, and clarifies that the compact does not override existing state licensure laws except where it is superseded by the compact.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Board of Examiners for