CHAPTER 12

H.P. 874 - L.D. 1277

An Act Regarding Speech-language Pathology Aides

Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas, this legislation authorizes the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Board of Examiners on Speech-language Pathology and Audiology to issue renewal registrations to speech-language pathology aides who held valid registrations on December 31, 2004, prior to the enactment of new requirements beginning January 1, 2005; and

Whereas, if the Board of Examiners on Speech-language Pathology and Audiology is not granted additional authority, it will not be feasible for many speech-language pathology aides to comply with the new requirements for registration and they will therefore be denied an opportunity to continue providing a valuable service to the citizens of the State; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. Transition provisions. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 32, section 6004, subsection 2, the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Board of