65-6501. Definitions. 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 for aging and disability services.

(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, articulation, fluency, voice, verbal and written language, auditory comprehension, cognition/communication, and oral pharyngeal or laryngeal sensorimotor 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 individuals who have or are suspected of having disorders of communication, any service in speech-language pathology including prevention, identification, 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 qualifications 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 impede 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 individuals who have or are suspected of having disorders of hearing, any service in audiology, including prevention, identification, evaluation, consultation 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.

(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 established 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 for aging and disability services to provide continuing education programs or courses on an ongoing basis under this act and in accordance with any rules and regulations promulgated by the secretary in accordance with this act.

History: L. 1991, ch. 177, § 1; L. 1997, ch. 9, § 1; L. 2012, ch. 100, § 1; L. 2014, ch. 115, § 278; July 1.