Did you know?
16% of Mississippi's population has some form of hearing loss.
Past consumer protection action
January 14, 2022. NAAG Responds to FDA’s Comment Request on New Over-The-Counter Hearing Aid Rules.
“In response to a request for comments from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding new rules regulating over-the-counter hearing aids, NAAG submitted comments encouraging the FDA to take the below steps to ensure that states maintain a role as regulators in this emerging market.”
Latest 2023 legislative news
HB 424. Sponsor: Rep. Sam Mims (R)
This measure proposes an audiology and speech language pathology interstate compact for the state to enter into with other states.
This measure would be effective July 1, 2022.
SB 2339. Sponsor: Senator Kathy Chism (R)
The measure requires all health insurance insurers to provide benefits or coverage for hearing aids and services for deaf and hearing-impaired dependent children under twenty-one (21) years of age who are covered under a policy or contract of insurance.
This measure states that coverage shall be provided when the prescribing physician has issued a written order stating that the dependent child is deaf or hearing impaired and that the treatment is medically cleared.
This measure will take effect July 1, 2022.
SB 2179. Sponsor: Rep. Randy Boyd (R)
This measure authorizes Mississippi to join the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact.
HB 395. Sponsor: Rep. Steve Massengill (R)
This measure creates a State Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. This would transfer licensing and disciplinary authority for speech-language pathologists and audiologists from the State Board of Health to this new Board.
This measure defines "Speech-language pathologist" as, an individual who practices speech-language pathology and who presents himself to the public by any title or description of services incorporating the words "speech pathologist," "speech-language pathologist," "speech therapist," "speech correctionist," "speech clinician," "language pathologist," "language therapist," "logopedist," "communicologist," "voice therapist," "voice pathologist," or any similar title or description of services.
This measure defines "audiologist" as an individual who practices audiology and who presents himself to the public by any title or description of services incorporating the words "audiologist," "hearing clinician," "hearing therapist," or any similar title or description of service.
This measure takes effect after July 1st, 2022.
HB 447. Sponsor: Rep. Becky Currie (R)
This measure exempts professionals with out-of-state licenses from taking examinations to receive a corresponding Mississippi license for their professional field.
This measure allows professionals with occupational licenses in good standing from other states to apply for and receive Mississippi occupational licenses without submitting to examinations.
This measure will take effect after July 1st, 2022.