KansasHB 27612025–2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Enacting the speech-language pathology assistant act to provide for the licensure of speech-language pathology assistants.

Sponsored By: Committee on K-12 Education Budget

Signed by Governor

senate committee on educationhouse committee on k-12 education budget

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

Speech pathologists face new assistant supervision rules

Supervising speech-language pathologists need an active Kansas license or practice privilege and two years of full-time postgraduate professional experience. They also need at least two hours of supervision training and one hour of ethics training every three years. They cannot supervise while under unresolved disciplinary action. Each supervisor may oversee no more than two full-time or three part-time assistants, with combined-hour limits for part-time assistants. Direct supervision must cover each client at least every 60 days and at least 10% of the assistant's total client-contact time. In-person observation or live video counts; reviewing recordings later does not. Supervisors can require more oversight based on assistant skills, tasks, setting, and client needs. They must document assistant training, tell clients when assistants provide services, and retain original supervision records for three years. Assistants must report supervisor changes to the Secretary within seven business days. Supervisors bear full legal and ethical responsibility for delegated services and omissions.

Kansas speech assistants need licenses and training

Kansas creates a state license for speech-language pathology assistants through the Secretary for Aging and Disability Services. Applicants need one of three education paths: an accredited bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders; another bachelor's degree plus 24 semester hours of core coursework in that field; or an assistant associate degree, technical training, or certificate program from a regionally accredited school. They also need 100 clock hours of supervised clinical fieldwork with direct client contact, or a clinical practicum. The Secretary may require proof of national certification. Licenses generally last two years; shorter administrative licenses have prorated fees. Renewal requires 12 hours of approved continuing education, equal to 1.2 continuing education units, and payment of fees. Assistants must report that education and keep proof for four years for possible inspection. The state provides at least 30 days' electronic notice before expiration and a conditional 30-day late-renewal window requiring renewal and late fees. Temporary licenses can last 12 months and renew for another consecutive 12 months. Out-of-state applicants can qualify through endorsement based on good standing and Kansas education and clinical requirements, or an unrestricted license and additional state qualifications. The Secretary sets application, temporary license, renewal, late-renewal, reinstatement, and necessary examination fees to cover administration; no single fee can exceed $200. Collected fees, charges, and penalties go to the Kansas Health Occupations Credentialing Fee Fund.

Speech assistants face discipline and title penalties

Kansas establishes license denial, suspension, revocation, or limits for misconduct by speech-language pathology assistants. Grounds include false statements, unauthorized practice, incompetence, repeated negligence, unethical conduct, impairment while providing services, certain convictions, and rule violations. Beginning January 1, 2027, people cannot represent themselves as speech-language pathology assistants without a valid license unless exempt from the act. A suspended or revoked license does not qualify. Violations are class C nonperson misdemeanors, and each day counts as a separate offense.

Speech assistants can help, with care limits

Trained assistants can provide supervisor-directed screenings without interpretation, planned treatment, progress notes, assessment support, teletherapy, and caregiver coaching. They can also help with communication devices, records, equipment, research, training, and public outreach. They must identify themselves as assistants, follow health and school privacy rules, and share documentation for supervisor co-signature. Assistants cannot diagnose, interpret test results or licensed pathologists' reports, or create or change treatment plans. They cannot provide care outside their documented plan or training, sign formal documents alone, or make independent referral or discharge decisions. They cannot make education-plan, eligibility, or treatment-planning decisions in meetings without the supervising pathologist present. They also cannot present themselves as speech-language pathologists or advertise professional services independently of their supervisor. Feeding or swallowing therapy requires direct supervision. Assistants cannot treat someone the supervising pathologist determines is medically fragile. The supervising pathologist remains responsible for delegated work and omissions.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Committee on K-12 Education Budget
Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 318 • No: 6

House vote • 4/23/2026

Yea: 38 Nay: 2

Yes: 38 • No: 2

House vote • 4/23/2026

Yea: 121 Nay: 1

Yes: 121 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/17/2026

Final Action - Passed

Yes: 38 • No: 2

House vote • 2/19/2026

Final Action - Passed as amended