New Mexico Register / Volume XXX,
Issue 18 / September 24, 2019
PUBLIC RULE
HEARING AND REGULAR BOARD MEETING
The
New Mexico Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensing Practices
Board (“Board”) will hold a rule hearing on Friday, October 25, 2019, at 9:00
a.m. Following the rule hearing, the
Board will convene a board meeting to consider adoption of the rules and
address regular business. The rule
hearing and board meeting will be held at the New Mexico Commission for the
Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Compass Bank Building, 505 Marquette Avenue NW,
Albuquerque, New Mexico, in Suite 1550.
The
purpose of the rule hearing is to consider proposed amendments to the following
rules:
16.26.2
NMAC – Licensure Requirements;
16.26.4
NMAC – Renewal of Licenses;
16.26.6
NMAC – Fees;
16.26.9
NMAC – Code of Ethics; and
16.26.11
NMAC – Licensure for Military Service Members, Spouses, and Veterans
The
changes to Parts 2, 4, 6, 9, and 11 of the Board’s rules are primarily intended
to address the changes to the Speech-Language, Pathology, Audiology, and
Hearing Aid Dispensing Practices Act (“Act”), NMSA, 1978, Sections 61-14B-1
through -25, (1991, as amended through 2019), which occurred this past
Legislative Session. See H.B. 48,
54th Leg., 1st Sess. (N.M. 2019), available at:
https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/19%20Regular/final/HB0048.pdf. The most
significant change to the Act was to provide the Board with the authority to
adopt a code of ethics that includes rules requiring audiologists and hearing
aid dispensers to inform prospective purchasers about hearing aid options that
can provide a direct connection between the hearing aid and assistive listening
systems. The changes to Part 9 of the
Board’s rules, are intended to incorporate language
required by House Bill 48. The changes
are intended to comply with the provisions of the Act, incorporate more
consistent terminology, and clarify existing provisions.
To
obtain and review copies of the proposed changes you may go to the Board’s
website at:
http://www.rld.state.nm.us/boards/Speech_Language_Pathology_Audiology_and_Hearing_Aid_Dispensing_Practices_Rules_and_Laws.aspx,
or contact the Boards and Commissions Division at (505) 476-4622.
The
Board is currently accepting public comments on the proposed amendments. Please submit written comments on the
proposed changes to Lori Sciacca, Board Administrator, via electronic mail at
speech.hearing@state.nm.us or by regular mail at PO Box 25101, Santa Fe, NM
87504, no later than Thursday, October 24, 2019. Persons will also be given the opportunity to
present their comments at the rule hearing.
All written comments will be posted to the Board’s website at: http://www.rld.state.nm.us/boards/Speech_Language_Pathology_Audiology_and_Hearing_Aid_Dispensing_Practices_Rules_and_Laws.aspx,
no more than three business days following receipt to allow for public view.
An individual with a disability who is in need of a
reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or other form of
auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing, please
contact Lori Sciacca, Board Administrator at (505) 476-4622.
Statutory
Authority: The
Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensing Practice Act,
Sections 61-14B-1 to -25, NMSA 1978, among other provisions, specifically
authorizes the Board to “adopt and file rules necessary to carry out the
provisions of the Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid
Dispensing Practice Act.”
Summary of
Proposed Changes:
In
addition to making minor clarification changes, the proposed rules are
summarized as follows:
16.26.2 NMAC -
Licensure Requirements
The
amendments to Part 1 clarify the requirements for licensure as a speech-language
pathologist, and correct typographical and grammatical errors.
16.26.4 NMAC -
Renewal of Licenses
The
amendments to Part 4 adds provisions to ensure initial
licenses are not issued for greater than 24 months. Language regarding payment
of a late penalty fee is removed as it has been deemed unnecessarily burdensome
for licensees.
16.26.6 NMAC
- Fees
The amendments to Part 6 increase the renewal fee
amount for speech-language pathologists and audiologists and deletes fees for
dual licensure as there are no provisions for dual licensure provided for
anywhere else within rule.
16.26.9 NMAC -
Code of Ethics
The
amendments to Part 9 adds language to comport with House Bill 48, requiring
audiologists and hearing aid dispensers to inform prospective purchasers about
hearing aid options that can provide a direct connection between the hearing
aid and assistive listening systems.
16.26.11 NMAC -
Licensure for Military Service Members, Spouses, and Veterans
The
amendments to Part 11 adds provisions to ensure
initial licenses are not issued for greater than 24 months.