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The Illinois legislature recently passed S.B. 1483 which amended the speech-language pathology scope of practice act to include the independent use of endoscopic procedures. Following Governor Quinn's signature, the bill was enacted as Public Act 96-0719 on August 25, 2009.
Members of the Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ISHA) have long advocated for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to be able to perform endoscopies. Efforts involved working with the medical community to develop language acceptable to all parties. The bill outlines the provisions necessary for SLPs to become competent to engage in independent practice and specifies the requirements needed for medical backup and supervision. Provisions to allow the use of a rigid or flexible laryngoscope for the purpose of training or research are also included.
For more information, contact Janet Deppe, ASHA's Director of State Advocacy and state liaison to Illinois, at jdeppe@asha.org, or ISHA member Celeste Kobulnicky at crkobul@comcast.net or visit the ISHA Web site.
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