Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to speech language pathologist assistants and the medical assistance program, and including effective date provisions
Sponsored by Sen. Molly Donahue (D), Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott (D), Sen. Janet Petersen (D), Sen. Zach Wahls (D), Sen. Mike Zimmer (D)
Topics:Health careFamilies & human servicesProfessional licensingMedicaid
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedMarch 6, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeMarch 10, 2025
- Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: House committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary The Department of Health and Human Services will create new rules to allow speech language pathologist assistants to get paid through the medical assistance program. These assistants must work under a licensed speech pathologist to qualify. The state will also ask the federal government for permission to include these assistants as providers in the program.1
Read the official explanation
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. This bill directs the department of health and human services (HHS) to adopt rules that permit a speech language pathologist assistant practicing under a licensed speech pathologist to be reimbursed for speech language pathologist assistant services provided to recipients of the medical assistance program, subject to limitations and exclusions HHS finds necessary. The bill also directs HHS to submit any necessary federal waiver or amendment for the medical assistance program to include a speech language pathologist assistant practicing under a licensed speech pathologist to participate as a provider under the medical assistance program. HHS shall include speech language pathologist assistants as providers under the medical assistance program upon HHS’s receipt of federal approval.
Senate subcommittee
Named March 10, 2025. It hasn’t reported yet.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part