2024 Minnesota Statutes

148.5192 SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY ASSISTANTS.

Subdivision 1.Delegation requirements.

A licensed speech-language pathologist may delegate duties to a licensed speech-language pathology assistant in accordance with this section following an initial introduction to a client with the speech-language pathologist and speech-language pathology assistant present.

[See Note.]

Subd. 2.Delegated duties; prohibitions.

(a) A speech-language pathology assistant may perform only those duties delegated by a licensed speech-language pathologist and must be limited to duties within the training and experience of the speech-language pathology assistant.

(b) Duties may include the following as delegated by the supervising speech-language pathologist:

(1) assist with speech language and hearing screenings;

(2) implement documented treatment plans or protocols developed by the supervising speech-language pathologist;

(3) document client performance, including writing progress notes;

(4) assist with assessments of clients;

(5) assist with preparing materials and scheduling activities as directed;

(6) perform checks and maintenance of equipment;

(7) support the supervising speech-language pathologist in research projects, in-service training, and public relations programs; and

(8) collect data for quality improvement.

(c) A speech-language pathology assistant may not:

(1) perform standardized or nonstandardized diagnostic tests, perform formal or informal evaluations, or interpret test results;

(2) demonstrate strategies included in the feeding and swallowing plan developed by the speech-language pathologist or share such information with students, patients, clients, families, staff, and caregivers;

(3) participate in parent conferences, case conferences, or interdisciplinary team meetings without approval from the speech-language pathologist or misrepresent themselves as a speech-language pathologist at such a conference or meeting. The speech-language pathologist and speech-language pathology assistant are required to meet prior to the parent conferences, case conferences, or interdisciplinary team meetings to determine the information to be shared;

(4) provide client or family counseling or consult with the client or the family regarding the client status or service;

(5) write, develop, or modify a client's individualized treatment plan or individualized education program;

(6) select clients for service;

(7) discharge clients from service;

(8) disclose information to other team members without permission from the supervising speech-language pathologist; or

(9) make referrals for additional services.

(d) A speech-language pathology assistant must only sign documents, including treatment plans, education plans, reimbursement forms, or reports, when cosigned by the supervising speech-language pathologist. The speech-language pathology assistant must sign or initial all treatment notes written by the assistant, which must then also be cosigned by the supervising speech-language pathologist.

[See Note.]

Subd. 3.Supervision requirements.

(a) A supervising speech-language pathologist shall authorize and accept full responsibility for the performance, practice, and activity of a speech-language pathology assistant. The amount and type of supervision required must be based on the skills and experience of the speech-language pathology assistant. A minimum of one hour every 30 days of consultative supervision time must be documented for each speech-language pathology assistant.

(b) A supervising speech-language pathologist must:

(1) be licensed under sections 148.511 to 148.5198;

(2) hold a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or its equivalent as approved by the commissioner; and

(3) have completed at least ten hours of continuing education in supervision.

(c) Once every 60 days, the supervising speech-language pathologist must treat or cotreat with the speech-language pathology assistant each client on the speech-language pathology assistant's caseload.

(d) For purposes of this section, "direct supervision" means observation and guidance by the supervising speech-language pathologist during the performance of a delegated duty that occurs either on-site and in-view or through the use of real-time, two-way interactive audio and visual communication. The supervision requirements described in this section are minimum requirements. Additional supervision requirements may be imposed at the discretion of the supervising speech-language pathologist.

(e) A supervising speech-language pathologist must be available to communicate with a speech-language pathology assistant at any time the assistant is in direct contact with a client.

(f) A supervising speech-language pathologist must document activities performed by the assistant that are directly supervised by the supervising speech-language pathologist. At a minimum, the documentation must include:

(1) information regarding the quality of the speech-language pathology assistant's performance of the delegated duties; and

(2) verification that any delegated clinical activity was limited to duties authorized to be performed by the speech-language pathology assistant under this section.

(g) A supervising speech-language pathologist must review and cosign all informal treatment notes signed or initialed by the speech-language pathology assistant.

(h) A full-time, speech-language pathologist may supervise no more than two full-time, speech-language pathology assistants or the equivalent of two full-time assistants.

[See Note.]

Subd. 4.Notification.

Any agency or clinic that intends to utilize the services of a speech-language pathology assistant must provide written notification to the client or, if the client is younger than 18 years old, to the client's parent or guardian before a speech-language pathology assistant may perform any of the duties described in this section.

History:

2004 c 279 art 1 s 14; 2005 c 147 art 7 s 19; 2024 c 127 art 25 s 16-18

NOTE: The amendments to subdivisions 1 to 3 by Laws 2024, chapter 127, article 25, sections 16 to 18, are effective July 1, 2025. Laws 2024, chapter 127, article 25, sections 16 to 18, the effective dates.