Sec. 8.6. (a) The department of education may issue an emergency communication disorder permit to an individual, as necessary, to serve the needs of students who are eligible for speech and language services under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.).

(b) To be eligible to receive an emergency communication disorder permit, an individual must:

(1) have a bachelor's degree in speech, language, and hearing sciences or an equivalent bachelor's degree in this subject area; and

(2) be enrolled, and have submitted a verified plan of study, in a graduate program in communication disorders.

(c) The director of a graduate program in communication disorders shall, at the end of each semester or its equivalent, confirm to the department of education, in a manner prescribed by the department of education, that an individual described in subsection (b) who:

(1) is enrolled in the graduate program; and

(2) holds an emergency communication disorder permit;

complies with subsection (b)(2).

(d) An individual who is issued an emergency communication disorder permit shall have accessibility to a licensed speech-language pathologist in order to collaborate on the provision of services at no additional cost to the school corporation.

(e) An individual with an emergency communication disorder permit may not use a title that states or implies that the individual is a licensed speech-language pathologist.

(f) This section expires June 30, 2021.

As added by P.L.64-2019, SEC.1.