SF 2015 (LSB 5632XS (4) 89)

SENATE FILE 2015

BY  BROWN

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to cognitive screenings by audiologists and speech pathologists.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 154F.1, Code 2022, is amended by adding the following new subsections:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  2A.  “Cognitive screening” means the administration of a formal, evidence-based assessment to identify possible cognitive concerns.
   NEW SUBSECTION.  2B.  “Cognitive screening instrument” means a formal, evidence-based test, protocol, or other methodology by which a cognitive screening is administered.
    Sec. 2.  NEW SECTION.  154F.7  Cognitive screening.
   1.  An audiologist or speech pathologist may provide cognitive screening services as provided in this section.
   2.  a.  An audiologist or speech pathologist shall not administer a cognitive screening instrument unless the audiologist or speech pathologist has completed sufficient training in administering the instrument to provide a sufficient standard of care.
   b.  An audiologist or speech pathologist shall not administer a cognitive screening instrument that requires certification unless the audiologist or speech pathologist obtains active certification prior to the first administration of the instrument and maintains an active certification of the instrument during all administrations.
   3.  Following the completion of a cognitive screening, an audiologist or speech pathologist shall refer the patient to a health care provider or specialist for further evaluation in accordance with the scoring protocol reflected on the cognitive screening instrument.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to the practice of audiologists and speech pathologists. The bill allows audiologists and speech pathologists to administer cognitive screenings, defined in the bill, if the audiologist or speech pathologist has appropriate training and certification in the use of the cognitive screening instrument, defined in the bill. Following the completion of a cognitive screening, the bill requires an audiologist or speech pathologist to refer the patient to a health care provider or specialist for further evaluation in accordance with the scoring protocol reflected on the cognitive screening instrument.