Speech-language Pathologists, Audiologists, and Hearing Aid DispensersAdministration

Section § 2531

Explanation

This law establishes a board within the Department of Consumer Affairs responsible for overseeing speech-language pathology, audiology, and hearing aid dispensing. The board has nine members, including three from the public. This setup will be in place until January 1, 2027, after which it will be reviewed by legislative committees.

(a)CA Business & Professions Code § 2531(a) There is in the Department of Consumer Affairs the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board in which the enforcement, administration, and other regulatory duties of this chapter are vested. The Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board shall consist of nine members, three of whom shall be public members.
(b)CA Business & Professions Code § 2531(b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.
(c)CA Business & Professions Code § 2531(c) Notwithstanding any other law, the repeal of this section renders the board subject to review by the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature.
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Section § 2531.1

Explanation
Each board member serves a four-year term but can’t do more than two terms in a row. Starting in 2004, specific roles have shorter or varied initial terms, but those are still counted as full terms. Some board members are appointed for one, two, three, or four years, depending on their role. After these varied terms, new members will return to four-year terms. The appointing authority can remove any board member at any time.
(a)CA Business & Professions Code § 2531.1(a) Each member of the board shall hold office for a term of four years, and shall serve until the appointment and qualification of that member’s successor or until one year has elapsed since the expiration of the term for which the member was appointed, whichever first occurs. No member may serve for more than two consecutive terms.
(b)CA Business & Professions Code § 2531.1(b) Notwithstanding the four-year terms set by subdivision (a), commencing on November 30, 2004, members appointed to the board shall serve the terms set forth below. Each of these terms shall count as a full term for purposes of subdivision (a).
(1)CA Business & Professions Code § 2531.1(b)(1) The two public members appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules and the Speaker of the Assembly, respectively, shall each serve a term of one year.
(2)CA Business & Professions Code § 2531.1(b)(2) One licensed speech-language pathologist and one licensed audiologist, as designated by the appointing authority, shall each serve a term of two years.
(3)CA Business & Professions Code § 2531.1(b)(3) One licensed speech-language pathologist and one licensed audiologist, as designated by the appointing authority, and the public member who is a licensed physician and surgeon, board certified in otolaryngology, shall each serve a term of three years.
(4)CA Business & Professions Code § 2531.1(b)(4) One licensed speech-language pathologist and one licensed audiologist, as designated by the appointing authority, shall each serve a term of four years.
(c)CA Business & Professions Code § 2531.1(c) Upon completion of each of the terms described in subdivision (b), a succeeding member shall be appointed to the board for a term of four years.
(d)CA Business & Professions Code § 2531.1(d) Each appointing authority shall have the power to remove from office at any time any member of the board appointed by that appointing authority.
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Section § 2531.02

Explanation

This law states that ensuring public safety is the most important job for the board that oversees speech and hearing professionals. If there's ever a conflict between public safety and other goals, public safety takes precedence.

Protection of the public shall be the highest priority for the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board in exercising its licensing, regulatory, and disciplinary functions. Whenever the protection of the public is inconsistent with other interests sought to be promoted, the protection of the public shall be paramount.
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Section § 2531.2

Explanation

This law outlines the composition of a board related to speech, hearing, and audiology professionals in California. The board must have two licensed speech-language pathologists, two licensed audiologists (including one who dispenses hearing aids), two licensed hearing aid dispensers, and three public members. One of the public members must be a physician specializing in ear, nose, and throat issues. The Governor appoints this physician and the other licensed members, while the Senate Committee on Rules and the Speaker of the Assembly each appoint one public member.

The membership of the board shall include two licensed speech-language pathologists, two licensed audiologists, one of whom shall be an audiologist that dispenses hearing aids, two licensed hearing aid dispensers, and three public members one of whom is a licensed physician and surgeon, board certified in otolaryngology, and the remaining two public members who shall not be licentiates of the board or of any board under this division or of any board referred to in the Chiropractic Act or the Osteopathic Act.
The Governor shall appoint the physician and surgeon member and the other six licensed members qualified as provided in this section. The initial appointments of the licensed hearing aid dispenser members shall be made to fill the first licensed audiologist member vacancy and the first licensed speech-language pathologist member vacancy that occurs on or after January 1, 2010. The Senate Committee on Rules and the Speaker of the Assembly shall each appoint a public member.
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Section § 2531.3

Explanation

This law states that the board responsible for speech-language pathology and audiology licenses will hold exams for applicants at least once a year at times and places they choose. They can appoint qualified people, called commissioners, to help conduct these exams. These commissioners will follow the board’s rules and get the same pay as board members, even if they aren't on the board. The board also manages everything related to the exams, including working with standardized exam systems.

The board shall examine every applicant for a speech-language pathology license or an audiology license at the time and place designated by the board in its discretion, but at least once in each year; and for that purpose may appoint qualified persons to give the whole or any portion of the examination, who shall be designated as commissioners on examination. A commissioner on examination need not be a member of the board, but shall be subject to the same rules and regulations and shall be entitled to the same fee as if he or she were a member of the board.
The board shall perform all examination functions, including but not limited to, participation in uniform examination systems.
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Section § 2531.4

Explanation
This section gives a board the power to look into and assess anyone applying for a license in speech-language pathology or audiology. The board decides if applicants can take any necessary tests and if they qualify to get a license based on the rules and requirements outlined in the chapter.
The board shall have full authority to investigate and to evaluate each and every applicant applying for a license to practice speech-language pathology or a license to practice audiology and to determine the admission of the applicant to the examination, if administered by the board, or to issue a license, in conformance with the provisions of, and qualifications required by, this chapter.
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Section § 2531.5

Explanation

This law states that the board has the authority to give, take away, or refuse licenses and approvals for practicing speech-language pathology and audiology.

The board shall issue, suspend, and revoke licenses and approvals to practice speech-language pathology and audiology as authorized by this chapter.
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Section § 2531.06

Explanation

This section gives the board authority and responsibility over licensing and regulating hearing aid dispensers, which includes consulting with industry experts and managing any related records and property from the former Hearing Aid Dispensers Bureau. Existing regulations will continue under the board's administration until they are officially changed.

(a)CA Business & Professions Code § 2531.06(a) The board is vested with the duties, powers, purposes, responsibilities, and jurisdiction over the licensing and regulation of hearing aid dispensers as provided under Article 8 (commencing with Section 2538.10).
(b)CA Business & Professions Code § 2531.06(b) In the performance of the duties and the exercise of the powers vested in the board under this chapter, the board may consult with hearing aid dispenser industry representatives.
(c)CA Business & Professions Code § 2531.06(c) For the performance of the duties and the exercise of the powers vested in the board under this chapter, the board shall have possession and control of all records, papers, offices, equipment, supplies, or other property, real or personal, held for the benefit or use by the former Hearing Aid Dispensers Bureau.
(d)CA Business & Professions Code § 2531.06(d) All regulations in Division 13.3 (commencing with Section 1399.100) of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations are continued in existence under the administration of the board until repealed by regulation.
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Section § 2531.6

Explanation

This law allows the Governor to dismiss any member of a specific board if they fail to do their job, are not competent, or behave unprofessionally.

The Governor has power to remove from office any member of the board for neglect of any duty required by this chapter, for incompetency, or for unprofessional conduct.
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Section § 2531.7

Explanation

Every year, the board chooses a chairperson and a vice chairperson from its members. They must have at least one regular meeting annually. The chairperson or any two board members can request extra meetings.

The board shall elect annually a chairperson and vice chairperson from among its members. The board shall hold at least one regular meeting each year. Additional meetings may be held upon call of the chairperson or at the written request of any two members of the board.
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Section § 2531.8

Explanation

This law means that to make official decisions, at least five board members must be present at a meeting.

Five members of the board shall at all times constitute a quorum.
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Section § 2531.9

Explanation

The members of the board are entitled to receive a daily allowance and reimbursement for expenses, as detailed in another section of the law.

Each member of the board shall receive a per diem and expenses as provided in Section 103.
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Section § 2531.75

Explanation

This law allows the board to appoint an executive officer who doesn't have to go through the usual civil service process. This officer will handle powers and duties given by the board. However, this rule is only valid until January 1, 2027, after which it will no longer apply.

(a)CA Business & Professions Code § 2531.75(a) The board may appoint a person exempt from civil service who shall be designated as an executive officer. The executive officer shall exercise the powers and perform the duties delegated by the board and vested in them by this chapter.
(b)CA Business & Professions Code § 2531.75(b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.
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Section § 2531.95

Explanation

This section says that the board responsible for implementing this chapter can create rules as needed. When doing so, they must follow certain government procedures for making regulations.

The board shall from time to time adopt the regulations that may be necessary to effectuate this chapter. In adopting regulations the board shall comply with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
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