3. Developing a plan to support and enhance the capacity of graduate training programs at institutions that prepare speech- language pathologists and ensure adequate opportunities for professional growth and development through the University of Maine System and other public and private organizations;

4. Examining trends related to the existing vacancy rates in Maine schools of speech-language pathologists, trends in use of Medicaid funding to enhance speech-language pathology services and demographics of currently employed school-based speech- language pathologists to identify current capacity and anticipated need by 2010;

5. Reviewing current licensure requirements of speech- language pathologists and making any recommendations for revisions to such requirements in order to ensure quality of services and to increase the number of individuals qualified for licensure as speech-language pathologists; and

6. Examining the potential for assignment of certified school personnel who can provide services while being appropriately supervised by licensed speech-language pathologists; and be it further

Sec. 6. Advisory capacity. Resolved: That the task force shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Legislature and the agencies involved with the requirements, licensure and preparation of speech-language pathologists; and be it further

Sec. 7. Recommendation. Resolved: That the task force shall recommend to the Legislature, the State Board of Education and the Commissioner of Education a plan to ensure access to educational training opportunities for speech-language pathologists in postsecondary institutions; and be it further

Sec. 8. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Department of Education shall provide necessary staffing services to the task force; and be it further

Sec. 9. Compensation. Resolved: That the public members of the task force not otherwise compensated by their employers or other entities that they represent are entitled to receive reimbursement of necessary expenses and, upon a demonstration of financial hardship, a per diem equal to the legislative per diem as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2 for their attendance at authorized meetings of the task force; and be it further