HB4863 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 14835 AAS 27979 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB4863

Introduced , by Rep. Janet Yang Rohr

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

225 ILCS 110/11

from Ch. 111, par. 7911

Amends the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act. Provides that, at a minimum, the rules of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation regarding continuing education shall permit continuing education credits to be earned for: (1) verified attendance at lectures and scheduled courses or workshops at local, regional, national, or international conferences concerning speech-language pathology, audiology, or related disciplines if the lectures, scheduled courses, or workshops meet the criteria set forth in the Illinois Administrative Code; (2) verified attendance at lectures, workshops, or in-service programs concerning speech-language pathology, audiology, or related disciplines if the lectures, workshops, or in-service programs meet the criteria set forth in the Illinois Administrative Code; and (3) presentation before an audience of speech-language pathologists, audiologists, or related professionals at lectures, workshops, or in-service programs concerning speech-language pathology, audiology, or related disciplines if the lectures, workshops, or in-service programs meet the criteria set forth in the Illinois Administrative Code.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act is amended by changing Section 11 as follows:

(225 ILCS 110/11) (from Ch. 111, par. 7911)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2028)

Sec. 11. Expiration, renewal and restoration of licenses.

(a) The expiration date and renewal period for each license issued under this Act shall be set by rule. A speech-language pathologist, speech-language pathology assistant, or audiologist may renew such license during the month preceding the expiration date thereof by paying the required fee.

(a-5) An audiologist renewing his or her license shall provide proof as determined by the Department of having met the continuing education requirements set forth in the rules of the Department. At a minimum, the rules shall require a renewal applicant for licensure as an audiologist to provide proof of completing at least 20 clock hours of continuing education during the 2-year licensing cycle for which he or she is currently licensed, no more than 10 hours of which may be obtained through programs sponsored by hearing instrument or auditory prosthetic device manufacturers. An audiologist must provide proof that at least 2 clock hours of training in ethics or legal requirements pertaining to the practice of audiology was completed during the 2-year licensing cycle for which he or she is currently licensed.

(a-10) A speech-language pathologist or a speech-language pathology assistant renewing his or her license shall provide proof as determined by the Department of having met the continuing education requirements set forth in the rules of the Department. At a minimum, the rules shall require a renewal applicant for license as a speech-language pathologist to provide proof of completing at least 20 clock hours of continuing education during the 2-year licensing cycle for which he or she is currently licensed. A speech language pathologist must provide proof that at least one clock hour of ethics training was completed during the 2-year licensing cycle for which he or she is currently licensed. At a minimum, the rules shall require a renewal applicant for licensure as a speech-language pathology assistant to provide proof of completing at least 10 clock hours of continuing education during the 2-year period for which he or she currently holds a license. At a minimum, the rules shall permit continuing education credits to be earned for: (1) verified attendance at lectures and scheduled courses or workshops at local, regional, national, or international conferences concerning speech-language pathology, audiology, or related disciplines if the lectures, scheduled courses, or workshops meet the criteria set forth in 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1465.85 (c)(3)(A), (B), and (C); (2) verified attendance at lectures, workshops, or in-service programs concerning speech-language pathology, audiology, or related disciplines if the lectures, workshops, or in-service programs meet the criteria set forth in 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1465.85 (c)(3)(A), (B), and (C); and (3) presentation before an audience of speech-language pathologists, audiologists, or related professionals at lectures, workshops, or in-service programs concerning speech-language pathology, audiology, or related disciplines if the lectures, workshops, or in-service programs meet the criteria set forth in 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1465.85 (c)(3)(A), (B), and (C).

(b) Inactive status.

(1) Any licensee who notifies the Department in writing on forms prescribed by the Department may elect to place his or her license on an inactive status and shall, subject to rules of the Department, be excused from payment of renewal fees until he or she notifies the Department in writing of his or her desire to resume active status.

(2) Any licensee requesting restoration from inactive status shall be required to (i) pay the current renewal fee; and (ii) demonstrate that he or she has completed a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education and met any additional continuing education requirements established by the Department by rule.

(3) Any licensee whose license is in an inactive status shall not practice in the State of Illinois without first restoring his or her license.

(4) Any licensee who shall engage in the practice while the license is lapsed or inactive shall be considered to be practicing without a license which shall be grounds for discipline under Section 16 of this Act.

(c) Any speech-language pathologist, speech-language pathology assistant, or audiologist whose license has expired may have his or her license restored at any time within 5 years after the expiration thereof, upon payment of the required fee.

(d) Any person whose license has been expired or inactive for 5 years or more may have his or her license restored by making application to the Department and filing proof acceptable to the Department of his or her fitness to have his or her license restored, including sworn evidence certifying to active lawful practice in another jurisdiction, and by paying the required restoration fee. A person practicing on an expired license is deemed to be practicing without a license.

(e) If a person whose license has expired has not maintained active practice in another jurisdiction, the Department shall determine, by an evaluation process established by rule, his or her fitness to resume active status and may require the person to complete a period of evaluated clinical experience, and may require successful completion of an examination.

(f) Any person whose license has expired while he or she has been engaged (1) in federal or State service on active duty, or (2) in training or education under the supervision of the United States preliminary to induction into the military service, may have his or her license restored without paying any lapsed renewal or restoration fee, if within 2 years after termination of such service, training or education he or she furnishes the Department with satisfactory proof that he or she has been so engaged and that his or her service, training or education has been so terminated.

(Source: P.A. 100-530, eff. 1-1-18.)