Dear Members and Fellow Professionals:
The NSHA Executive Board learned late on Friday, 3/25/2011 that there will be a hearing on SB 354 on Thursday, March 31, 2011 in the Senate Commerce, Labor and Energy Committee at 8:00 a.m. Among other things, SB 354 deals with the composition of the Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech Pathology. In the bill, the number of speech pathologists on the Board is reduced from 2 to 1 and the number of public members is increased from 1 to 2. Below is the ASHA model bill language which recommends that the number of SLPs and public members on a Board be equal. Also, note that ASHA recommends five years of experience practicing whereas the current NV law calls for two or more. We are calling you to action and need your help!
Please see this link SB 354:
http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/76th2011/Bills/SB/SB354.pdf
Makes various changes to regulatory bodies of professions, occupations and businesses. (BDR 54-254). Makes changes to the number and duties of public members appointed to various boards and commissions; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
ASHA Model Licensure Bill Language recommends that:
(2) The Board shall consist of three speech language pathologists who are currently practicing speech-language pathology and who have had five year’s experience practicing speech-language pathology and who hold active and valid licensure for the practice of speech-language pathology in this state, except for the first speech-language pathologists appointed who shall meet the eligibility requirements for licensure as specified in this Act.
(3) The Board shall consist of three representatives of the public who do not have a financial interest in the practice or business of audiology or speech-language pathology.
As Members of NSHA and the licensees of the NV Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, we encourage you to use your voice and
blanket the committee with emails in opposition of this bill.
a. Go to the website http://www.leg.state.nv.us
b. On the right hand side, click “share your opinion”
c. Type in SB 354
d. Select “against” and fill in the text box with WHY
e. You can also review other opinions
f. Go to the Senate Commerce, Labor and Energy page and email every one of the committee members
i. Michael A. Schneider - Chair
ii. Shirley A. Breeden - Vice Chair
iii. David R. Parks
iv. Allison Copening
vii. Michael Roberson
g. Show up in person on 3/31 (Carson City, or Las Vegas via teleconference at the Sawyer Building) if possible to voice opposition. On the committee website http://leg.state.nv.us/Session/76th2011/Committees/S_Committees/CL..cfm there are instructions for how to pre-submit documentation. You may be allotted 3 to 5 minutes, so have your speech written out in various lengths and TIME IT. Rehearse each version. Have the longest one pre-submitted and 25 copies printed out.
Our goal is to have appropriate language revised that follows the ASHA guidelines, or reject this bill entirely. Deadline to get out of “first house” committee is April 15. The more changes, the less likely it will survive.
Please help support our professions, and help us to REJECT this bill!
Above this message are links regarding the bill, addressess for the committee members, and additional points to consider.
Thank you in advance for your support in this matter.
Sincerely,
Janine Baldis, M.A., CCC-SLP
2010-2012 NSHA President