Juneau -- The Alaska House of Representatives Monday passed HB 105, which sets out requirements for licensing speech-language pathologists in Alaska. Alaska is currently one of only six states that do not require speech-language pathologists to have a license.

"If HB 105 becomes law, it will protect consumers from fraudulent practitioners who could emotionally and financially harm clients due to improper service delivery," said Representative Con Bunde, sponsor of HB 105. "This legislation will also make it less complicated for speech-language pathologists to obtain reimbursement from insurance companies which refuse to pay unlicensed practitioners."

The American Speech-Language Hearing Association sets out ethical and clinical competency standards for speech-language pathologists. However, compliance with these national standards is currently voluntary in Alaska and does not guarantee a high standard of service delivery. HB 105 would make adherence to these national standards mandatory as part of the requirements for licensing in Alaska. HB 105 has the support of both the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and the Alaska Speech-Language Hearing Association.

HB 105 passed the House 27-6 and now moves to the Senate for consideration.