FISCAL NOTE

Senate Bill 130 as introduced would allow the Alabama Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology to join the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact to provide uniformity in certain licensing requirements and practices among compact states.

Joining the compact would allow audiologists and speech-language therapists licensed in Alabama to also obtain certification to practice audiology and speech-language pathology in compact states. The compact also authorizes the Alabama Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology to legally recognize audiologists and speech-language therapists similarly licensed in other compact states.

Participation in the Compact would increase the administrative and financial obligations of the Board by an undetermined amount to: 1) investigate complaints and take action against compact audiologists and speech-language pathologists, 2) submit FBI background check of all Alabama applicants, 3) submit uniform data sets to a coordinated database and reporting system on all licensees, and 4) impose administrative penalties for designated violations. Additionally, the Board’s obligations could be increased if the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Compact collects an annual assessment to cover the costs of its operation, activities, staff and annual budget as authorized in the compact. The Board's increased obligations could be offset, wholly or partly, by an undetermined amount, from the Board's ability to assess administrative penalties and fines; impose compact privilege licensing fees upon licensees from other compact states and to recover the costs of investigations and dispositions of cases resulting from adverse actions taken against affected audiologists or speech-language pathologists.