Ch. 9             1997 Session Laws of Kansas             25

An Act concerning the department of health and environment; licensed speech language
pathologists and audiologists continuing education sponsors; amending K.S.A. 65-6501 and 65-6512 and repealing the existing sections.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:

Section 1. K.S.A. 65-6501 is hereby amended to read as follows: 65-

26             1997 Session Laws of Kansas             Ch. 9

6501. As used in this act, the following words and phrases shall have
the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section:

(a) ``Secretary'' means the secretary of health and environment.

(b) ``Speech-language pathology'' means the application of principles,
methods and procedures related to the development and disorders of
human communication. Disorders include any and all conditions, whether
of organic or nonorganic origin, that impede the normal process of human
communication including disorders and related disorders of speech, ar-
ticulation, fluency, voice, verbal and written language, auditory compre-
hension, cognition/communication, and oral pharyngeal or laryngeal sen-
sorimotor competencies, or both. Speech-language pathology does not
mean diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions as defined by K.S.A.
65-2869 and amendments thereto.

(c) ``Practice of speech-language pathology'' means:

(1) Rendering or offering to render to individuals or groups of indi-
viduals who have or are suspected of having disorders of communication,
any service in speech-language pathology including prevention, identifi-
cation, evaluation, consultation, habilitation and rehabilitation;

(2) determining the need for personal augmentative communication
systems, recommending such systems and providing training in utilization
of such systems; and

(3) planning, directing, conducting or supervising such services.

(d) ``Speech-language pathologist'' means a person who engages in
the practice of speech-language pathology and who meets the qualifica-
tions set forth in this act.

(e) ``Audiology'' means the application of principles, methods and
procedures related to hearing and the disorders of hearing and to related
language and speech disorders. Disorders include any and all conditions,
whether of organic or nonorganic origin, peripheral or central, that im-
pede the normal process of human communication including, but not
limited to, disorders of auditory sensitivity, acuity, function or processing.
Audiology does not mean diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions as
defined by K.S.A. 65-2869 and amendments thereto.

(f) ``Practice of audiology'' means:

(1) Rendering or offering to render to individuals or groups of indi-
viduals who have or are suspected of having disorders of hearing, any
service in audiology, including prevention, identification, evaluation, con-
sultation and habilitation or rehabilitation (other than hearing aid or other
assistive listening device dispensing);

(2) participating in hearing conservation;

(3) providing auditory training and speech reading;

(4) conducting tests of vestibular function;

(5) evaluating tinnitus; and

(6) planning, directing, conducting or supervising services.

Ch. 9             1997 Session Laws of Kansas             27

(g) ``Audiologist'' means any person who engages in the practice of
audiology and who meets the qualifications set forth in this act.

(h) ``Speech-language pathology assistant'' means an individual who
meets minimum qualifications established by the secretary which are less
than those established by this act as necessary for licensing as a speech-
language pathologist; does not act independently; and works under the
direction and supervision of a speech-language pathologist licensed under
this act.

(i) ``Audiology assistant'' means an individual who meets minimum
qualifications established by the secretary, which are less than those es-
tablished by this act as necessary for licensing as an audiologist; does not
act independently; and works under the direction and supervision of an
audiologist licensed under this act.

(j) ``Sponsor'' means entities approved by the secretary of health and
environment to provide continuing education programs or courses on an
ongoing basis under this act and in accordance with any rules and reg-
ulations promulgated by the secretary in accordance with this act.

Sec. 2. K.S.A. 65-6512 is hereby amended to read as follows: 65-
6512. The secretary shall fix by rules and regulations the licensure fee,
sponsorship fee, temporary licensure fee, renewal fee, late renewal fee,
reinstatement fee, and examination fee, if necessary, under this act. Such
fees shall be fixed in an amount to cover the costs of administering the
provisions of the act. No fee shall be more than $200. The secretary shall
remit all monies received from fees, charges or penalties under this act
to the state treasurer at least monthly. Upon receipt of each such remit-
tance, the state treasurer shall deposit the entire amount thereof in the
state treasury and credit the same to the state general fund.

Sec. 3. K.S.A. 65-6501 and 65-6512 are hereby repealed.

Sec. 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its
publication in the Kansas register.

Approved March 18, 1997.

Published in the Kansas Register: March 27, 1997.