All Roll Calls
Yes: 206 • No: 1
UtahH.B. 3742026 General SessionHouseWALLET
Speech, Language, and Hearing Occupations Licensing Amendments
Sponsored By: Melissa G. Ballard (Republican)
Signed by Governor
BusinessEducationK-12 EducationHealth and Human ServicesLabor and EmploymentHealth Care ProfessionalsSchool PersonnelHearing Instrument SpecialistsSpecial EducationSpeech-Language Pathologists and AudiologistsOccupational and Professional Licensing
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
19 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 4 costs, 6 mixed.
More pay and stipends for educators, SLPs
Beginning May 6, 2026, the law treats LEA‑employed audiologists and speech‑language pathologists as educators. That makes them eligible for educator programs and pay rules. For FY2026, eligible full‑time educators get a salary adjustment of $10,350 if the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program is funded or $5,175 if not; part‑time amounts are prorated. Special educators can get $200 per extra day for up to 10 days ($2,000 max), with employer‑paid benefits included; part‑time is prorated and funding must be appropriated each year.
Faster firing for educators with misconduct
Starting May 6, 2026, if a career employee shows both bad conduct that is cause for termination and poor performance, the employer may fire for cause without first making a plan of assistance. If the conduct is fixed but performance is still unsatisfactory, the employer must then create and follow a help plan. This raises job risk in mixed cases.
30-day hearing aid returns, fee cap
Beginning May 6, 2026, sellers must give a written receipt or contract that clearly states a 30‑day right to cancel in at least 12‑point font. If you return the device in the same condition (minus normal wear), you get a refund. The 30‑day clock starts on the later of delivery, the receipt date, or when you get the contract, and it pauses while the seller has the device. The seller may keep a cancellation fee only if it is written in the contract, and it cannot exceed 15% of all fees charged.
Stronger protections when buying hearing aids
Beginning May 6, 2026, a hearing instrument specialist must get your written informed consent on a division‑approved form. The consent must list the services, products, and expected results. Before choosing a device for you, they must record that you agree to buy it. If the device does not give the improvement promised when you consented, the provider must fix the issue or refund your fees within a reasonable time.
Educators can recover legal fees
Beginning May 6, 2026, covered educators can get back reasonable attorney fees and costs if they are sued over their job duties by someone other than their licensing entity or LEA, and the case is dismissed or they win. This includes LEA‑employed audiologists and speech‑language pathologists with the listed credentials. They can also recover the costs of getting those fees.
School safety zone adds preschools, childcare
Beginning May 6, 2026, the law expands “on or about school premises” to include preschools and child care facilities. Enhanced penalties now apply in those places and within 1,000 feet of them.
Stricter rules for kids’ hearing care
Beginning May 6, 2026, a hearing instrument specialist may not test or fit someone under 18 unless there is a written medical evaluation within the past six months saying the child may need a hearing aid. Specialists may not test or fit hearing aids for children under six. These steps aim to improve safety but can add time and appointments for families.
New licenses and rules for SLPs/audiologists
Beginning May 6, 2026, you must hold a state license to practice audiology or speech‑language pathology. You qualify by national certification or by the listed degrees, supervised experience, and a national exam. Licenses renew on a two‑year cycle; you need 20 hours of continuing education or an active national certification. Clinical fellows can get a temporary license for up to 12 months. If you qualify for both SLP and audiology, you get one combined license with one fee. People with a State Board credential issued from July 1, 2020 to May 5, 2026 who perform these functions must apply for the new license and follow renewal rules. After May 6, 2026, the State Board may not issue credentials for these functions. The division sets and collects licensing fees.
Licensing and supervision for hearing aid specialists
Beginning May 6, 2026, hearing instrument specialists must apply, pay fees, pass an entry exam and the Utah law and rules exam, and complete at least six months of supervised training. Licenses renew every two years, and interns get three‑year licenses; interns can work under indirect supervision after passing a practical exam and completing an approved education program. Supervisors need active licenses, two years of full‑time practice, and division approval. Some licensed clinicians (audiologists, physicians, osteopathic physicians, and physician assistants) may perform these acts without a separate hearing‑instrument license.
COVID-19 response law repealed July 2026
The law removes the COVID‑19 Health and Economic Response Act from state law on July 1, 2026. This ends authorities or programs in that chapter. The rest of this act takes effect May 6, 2026.
Clear pricing and ADA info at sale
Beginning May 6, 2026, providers must give written papers for each hearing test or sale. The papers must list each service or product and the charge, say if the device is new, used, or reconditioned, include warranty terms, and show the provider’s name and license number. Before services or sales, they must explain what they will do and the expected results. They must also tell you about devices that work with ADA‑compliant assistive listening systems.
Stronger privacy for speech and hearing care
Beginning May 6, 2026, audiologists and speech‑language pathologists cannot be forced to share client findings or treatment without the client’s consent. Their employees also have limited protection for professional facts learned on the job.
Principal grants count SLPs as educators
From May 6, 2026, the principal‑preparation grants program treats certain LEA‑employed audiologists and speech‑language pathologists as educators. This can let them qualify under the program’s rules. The law does not add new grant money.
More school staff get educator protections
From May 6, 2026, more school staff count as educators under state law. The definition now covers district employees who must hold a State Board certificate. It also covers LEA‑employed audiologists and speech‑language pathologists with a professional license. This extends school‑related protections to these staff.
Harsher penalties for unlicensed practice
Beginning May 6, 2026, violating the speech and hearing licensing law is a class A misdemeanor. A court can order anyone without a license to stop the work. This raises legal and financial risk for unlicensed providers.
Tougher discipline for speech and hearing
Beginning May 6, 2026, the division can deny, suspend, revoke, restrict, or reprimand licenses, and issue cease‑and‑desist orders against speech, language, and hearing professionals. Unprofessional conduct includes false claims, failing to disclose charges or give required refunds, poor supervision, improper ads, equipment lapses, and practicing beyond training. If a license is revoked, reapplication is allowed one year after the day following revocation. The hearing‑instrument discipline authorities sunset July 1, 2033.
Hearing aid sellers must list address
From May 6, 2026 to July 1, 2033, hearing instrument specialists must have a regular business location and use its street address in representations to patients. All ads must include the street address and the business phone number at that address.
New audiology assistant role and limits
Beginning May 6, 2026, the law creates an audiology assistant job. Assistants must meet division rules and work under a licensed audiologist’s personal direction and direct supervision. They must stay within a scope of practice the division sets.
New board and updated licensing oversight
From May 6, 2026, a new Speech‑Language Pathologist and Audiologist Licensing Board is in place with five members, including one public member and no more than two from each field. The Division of Professional Licensing handles licensing tasks with the right board; for construction trades, the Construction Services Commission does those tasks. Several older sections are repealed on May 6, 2026. Section 58‑41‑201 is repealed July 1, 2028. A credentialing subsection, 58‑41‑305(1)(d), is repealed July 1, 2031.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Melissa G. Ballard
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Evan J. Vickers
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/3/2026
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
Yes: 69 • No: 1
House vote • 3/3/2026
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/3/2026
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/27/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 23 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/26/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 27 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/26/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/24/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 7 • No: 0
House vote • 2/18/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 69 • No: 0
House vote • 2/9/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/18/2026House/ to Governor
3/12/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/12/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/6/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/6/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/5/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/5/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/4/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/3/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/3/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/3/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ concurs with Senate amendment
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ uncircled
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ circled
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/2/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/2/2026HouseSenate/ to House with amendments
2/27/2026SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
2/27/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 3rd Reading Calendar table
2/26/2026SenateSenate/ 3rd reading
2/26/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd reading
2/26/2026SenateSenate/ substituted
2/26/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd reading
2/26/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/6/2026
Substitute #2
2/26/2026
Substitute #1
1/30/2026
Introduced
1/26/2026
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