EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill amends the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Act, 1991 in order to modify the scope of practice of audiology and speech-language pathology. The Bill also expands the acts that may be performed by a member of the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists in the course of engaging in the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology.

Bill 35 2018

An Act to amend the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Act, 1991

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

1 Sections 3 and 4 of the Audiology and Speech Language Pathology Act, 1991 are repealed and the following substituted:

Scope of practice, audiology

3 (1)  The practice of audiology is the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of auditory and vestibular disorders to promote and maintain audio-vestibular health.

Same, speech-language pathology

(2)  The practice of speech-language pathology is the assessment, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of speech, language, communication, voice and swallowing dysfunctions or disorders to develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment communication or swallowing functions.

Authorized acts, audiology

4 (1)  In the course of engaging in the practice of audiology, a member is authorized, subject to the terms, conditions and limitations imposed on his or her certificate of registration, to perform the following:

    1.  Communicating a diagnosis identifying an auditory or vestibular disorder as the cause of a person's symptoms.

    2.  Prescribing a hearing aid for a hearing impaired person.

Same, speech-language pathology

(2)  In the course of engaging in the practice of speech-language pathology, a member is authorized, subject to the terms, conditions and limitations imposed on his or her certificate of registration, to perform the following:

    1.  Communicating a diagnosis identifying a communicative or swallowing disorder as the cause of a person's symptoms.

    2.  Ordering the application of a videofluoroscopic swallowing exam or another prescribed form of energy.

    3.  Putting an instrument, hand or finger beyond the point in the nasal passages where they normally narrow for the purposes of assessing and managing a communication or swallowing disorder.

    4.  Putting an instrument, hand or finger into an artificial opening of the body for the purpose of,

            i.  assessing and managing voice disorders and voice restoration, or

           ii.  suctioning a tracheostomy.

Commencement

2 This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

3 The short title of this Act is the Removing Barriers in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Act, 2018.