CHAPTER 80
S.P. 330 - L.D. 989
Resolve, To Establish a Task Force Concerning Speech-language Pathologists
Sec. 1. Task force established. Resolved: That the Task Force to Address the Shortage of Speech-language Pathologists, referred to in this resolve as "the task force," is established; and be it further
Sec. 2. Task force membership. Resolved: That the task force consists of the following 13 members:
1. The Commissioner of Education or the commissioner's designee;
2. The Chancellor of the University of Maine System or the chancellor's designee;
3. One member representing the State Board of Education appointed by the President of the Senate upon recommendation of the Chair of the State Board of Education;
4. Four members representing the Maine Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 3 of whom are school-based, appointed by the Speaker of the House upon recommendation of the President of the Maine Speech-Language Hearing Association;
5. One member representing the Maine School Superintendents Association appointed by the President of the Senate upon recommendation of the President of the Maine School Superintendents Association;
6. One member representing the Maine School Boards Association appointed by the Speaker of the House upon recommendation of the President of the Maine School Boards Association;
7. One member representing the Maine Principals' Association appointed by the President of the Senate upon recommendation of the President of the Maine Principals' Association;
8. One member representing the Maine Association of Directors of Special Education appointed by the Speaker of the House upon recommendation of the President of the Maine Association of Directors of Special Education;
9. One member representing the University of Maine, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders appointed by the President of the Senate upon recommendation of the Chair of the University of Maine, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders; and
10. One parent of a student receiving speech pathology services appointed by the Speaker of the House; and be it further
Sec. 3. Chair. Resolved: That the chair is selected by a vote of the task force membership at its first meeting; and be it further
Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of task force. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been completed. Within 15 days after appointment of all members, the executive director shall call and convene the first meeting of the task force; and be it further
Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the task force shall provide leadership and direction for collaborative efforts among the Department of Education, the University of Maine System and the State Board of Education to increase the number of speech-language pathologists who provide services to Maine children by:
1. Establishing a plan and schedule for the task force's work;
2. Meeting regularly to gather and review information and data on the conditions affecting recruitment and retention of speech-language pathologists in Maine schools and develop recommendations for recruitment and retention of speech-language pathologists;
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
Sec. 10. Report. Resolved: That the task force shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the Second Regular Session of the 121st Legislature, to the Commissioner of Education and to the State Board of Education by December 3, 2003. Following review of the report, the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs may report out a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 121st Legislature; and be it further
Sec. 11. Task force budget. Resolved: That expenses incurred by the task force in completing its work must be absorbed by the respective agencies and entities represented on the task force.
Effective September 13, 2003, unless otherwise indicated.
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