South Carolina General Assembly
117th Session, 2007-2008

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Bill 323

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Indicates New Matter


(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

COMMITTEE REPORT

March 20, 2007

S. 323

Introduced by Senators Setzler and Sheheen

S. Printed 3/20/07--S.

Read the first time January 24, 2007.

            

THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

To whom was referred a Bill (S. 323) to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding Section 59-26-87 so as to provide that certain speech-language pathologists who have received, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:

Amend the bill as and if amended, by striking SECTION 1 and inserting:

/SECTION     1.    Chapter 26, Title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 59-26-87.    (A)    For purposes of this section, 'certified speech-language pathologist' means a speech-language pathologist who has:

(1)    a master's degree that includes medical training;

(2)    completed a one-year clinical fellowship;

(3)    passed the Praxis Exam; and

(4)    received and maintained a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

(B)    Beginning with the 2007-08 school year, the Department of Education shall pay a yearly incentive of three thousand dollars to a certified speech-language pathologist who:

(1)    holds a South Carolina teaching certification as a speech-language therapist;

(2)    is employed full time in a South Carolina school district as a speech-language pathologist at the time of receiving the incentive;

(3)    is not considered a purchased service contractor; and

(4)    is not receiving a salary supplement as a result of holding a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification.

(C)    Incentives paid to a certified speech-language pathologist pursuant to this section must be paid from funds appropriated by the General Assembly for this purpose. However, the yearly incentives provided by this section shall not be paid unless necessary funding therefor each year in an amount certified by the Office of State Budget of the Budget and Control Board has been appropriated by the General Assembly.

(D)    The cost and expenses related to the acquisition and maintenance of the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association are the responsibility of the certified speech-language pathologist."    /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Majority favorable.    Minority unfavorable.

JOHN E. COURSON    LINDA H. SHORT

For Majority.    For Minority.

            

STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT

ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT ON GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES:

See Below

ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT ON FEDERAL & OTHER FUND EXPENDITURES:

See Below

EXPLANATION OF IMPACT:

The State Department of Education (SDE) estimates the total recurring cost to be $1,593,984. SDE estimates that there are 442 Speech-language pathologists currently eligible for the incentive. This cost consists of the $3,000 annual incentive including related fringe benefits. The bill requires that incentives must be paid from funds appropriated by the General Assembly for this purpose.

Approved By:

Don Addy

Office of State Budget

A BILL

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-26-87 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS WHO HAVE RECEIVED NATIONAL CERTIFICATION FROM THE AMERICAN SPEECH-LANGUAGE-HEARING ASSOCIATION AND WHO ARE EMPLOYED IN A SOUTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL RECEIVE A YEARLY INCENTIVE FOR THE LIFE OF THE CERTIFICATION, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THESE INCENTIVES MUST BE PAID FROM FUNDS APPROPRIATED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR THIS PURPOSE.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION     1.    Chapter 26, Title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 59-26-87.    (A)    For purposes of this section, 'certified speech-language pathologist' means a speech-language pathologist who has:

(1)    a master's degree that includes medical training;

(2)    completed a one-year clinical fellowship;

(3)    passed the specialty area of the National Teachers Examination; and

(4)    received and maintained a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

(B)    Beginning with the 2007-08 school year, the Department of Education shall pay a yearly incentive of three thousand dollars to a certified speech-language pathologist who:

(1)    holds a South Carolina teaching certification as a speech-language therapist;

(2)    is employed full time in a South Carolina school district as a speech-language pathologist at the time of receiving the incentive; and

(3)    is not considered a purchased service contractor.

(C)    Incentives paid to a certified speech-language pathologist pursuant to this section must be paid from funds appropriated by the General Assembly for this purpose.

(D)    The cost and expenses related to the acquisition and maintenance of the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association are the responsibility of the certified speech-language pathologist."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and applies beginning with the 2007-08 school year.

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