KANSAS STATUTES AND CODES

65-6501. Definitions.

65-6501

Chapter 65.--PUBLIC HEALTH Article 65.--SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS AND AUDIOLOGISTS

65-6501. Definitions.As used in this act, the following words and phrases shall havethe meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section:

(a) "Secretary" means the secretary of health and environment.

(b) "Speech-language pathology" means the application of principles, methodsand procedures related to the development and disorders of human communication. Disorders include any and all conditions, whether of organic or nonorganicorigin, that impede the normal process of human communication includingdisorders 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 ortreatment of medical conditions as defined by K.S.A. 65-2869 and amendmentsthereto.

(1) Rendering or offering to render to individuals or groups of individualswho have or are suspected of having disorders of communication, any service inspeech-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 suchsystems; and

(3) planning, directing, conducting or supervising such services.

(d) "Speech-language pathologist" means a person who engages in the practiceof speech-language pathology and who meets the qualifications set forth in thisact.

(e) "Audiology" means the application of principles, methods and proceduresrelated to hearing and the disorders of hearing and to related language andspeech disorders. Disorders include any and all conditions, whether of organicor nonorganic origin, peripheral or central, that impede the normal process ofhuman communication including, but not limited to, disorders of auditorysensitivity, acuity, function or processing.Audiology does notmean diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions as defined by K.S.A. 65-2869and amendments thereto.

(f) "Practice of audiology" means:

(1) Rendering or offering to render to individuals or groups of individualswho have or are suspected of having disorders of hearing, any service inaudiology, including prevention, identification, evaluation, consultation andhabilitation or rehabilitation (other than hearing aid or other assistivelistening 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 audiologyand who meets the qualifications set forth in this act.

(h) "Speech-language pathology assistant" means an individual who meetsminimum qualifications established by the secretary which are less than thoseestablished by this act as necessary for licensing as a speech-languagepathologist; does not act independently; and works under the direction andsupervision of a speech-language pathologist licensed under this act.

(i) "Audiology assistant" means an individual who meets minimumqualifications established by the secretary, which are less than thoseestablished by this act as necessary for licensing as an audiologist; does notact independently; and works under the direction and supervision of anaudiologist licensed under this act.

(j) "Sponsor" means entities approved by the secretary of health andenvironment to provide continuing education programs or courses on an ongoingbasis under this act and in accordance with any rules and regulationspromulgated by the secretary in accordance with this act.

History: L. 1991, ch. 177, § 1;L. 1997, ch. 9, § 1; March 27.