Notice Text

• Notice Text
• WV_20200701_53517.pdf

1 West Virginia Board of Examiners for ,...... . . ·- . .. Speech-Language Pathology and Audiologf f L_ f:::: D BoudMmabm Erill~":...,~~~~idcnt 1020 HAR 30 A IQ: 22 Dr. MkbaelJ. Zqudla. Au.O., CCC-A Dr. Vemoa N. Mullim,Au.D., CCC-A Joe E. JUc:barda. M.A.. Chizm Manbtt March 24, 2020 Via U.S. Mail . -... -···- ....-· Mac Warner, The Honorable Secretary of State Secretary of State's Office- Administrative Law Bldg 1, Suite 157-K 1900 Kanawha Blvd E Charleston, WV 25305 Re: West Virginia Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Temporary Suspension ofW. Va. Code R. § 29-1-lS.52 Dear Secretary of State Warner: The Honorable Governor of the State of West Virginia, Jim .J~tice, has declared a State of Emergency to address the emergency created by the worldwide coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In a Proclamation issued March 16, 2020, the Governor delegated to "all state agencies the ability to suspend rules, if strict compliance therewith would in any way prevent, hinder or delay necessary action in coping .with the emergency." The West Virginia Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology . ("Board") is actively monitoring the effects ofthe COVID-19 pandemic. The Board is dedicated to fulfilling its primary mission of protecting the public during this time, while continuing to ensure that West Virginia bas the workforce it needs to treat and care for speech-lmiguage pathology and audiology patients throughout the State. At an emergency meeting held March 23, 2020, and pursuant to the Governor's Proclamatio~ the Board voted to temporarily suspend its rule prohibiting telepractice by provisional licensees and Speech Pathology or Audiology Assistants, W. Va. Code R. § 29-1-15.5.2. The suspension of this rule shall remain in effect only during the State of Emergency. Therefore. during the State of Emergency, a Speech Pathologist with a provisional license who is completing a postgraduate professional experience/clinical fellowship year, or a Speech Pathology or Audiology Assistant, having been·issued such license by the Board. may provide W,6 SiJtr: www; !fl'VJ'l'GW!'l(CC~ aqrn PbatJtJ: J04.47.1-1219 Fa: 31>U7.1-4291 fll.lll..lOIJ.imaambtr. 177-462-$460 -Pltlt:iea NalbilJ- 1/utJ,Jthe Dila:far., telepractice services to clients/patients in the State of West Virginia The Board finds it necessary and appropriate to temporarily lift these restrictions on telepractice in response to the COVID-19 outbreak and in order to protect the public health, safety, and welfare. In communicating this decision to its licensees, the Board has noted that the remaining provisions of W. Va. Code R. § 29-1-15 are unaffected and still apply in the telepractice setting, including practice standards, ethical requirements, supervision requirements, and patient confidentiality requirements. The Board would respectfully request that the Secretary of State's Office accept this correspondence as notice of the temporary suspension ofW. Va. Code R. § 29-1-15.5.2 and post a copy ofthis correspondence on its website. Should you have any questions regarding this correspondence, please cont.act the Board's office . (currently_.w.ork remotel¥)..by telq>bone, 3.04-642-9%2,..m.by email@ wvb~@_wyo.v. Patricia Nesbitt Executive Director West Virginia Board ofExaminers for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology 19 l!dlllillm W..,, BM 11 -JlaieZ/4, ,.....,._.._ WV 2lf201 a-il: B'J'bes~112r Wob Sim: B:'Jt"Bll7QP!'l)'.;(Jmt 1 mq;y mm 1'lta&" J04-47J42J/9 Fa: ~I IIHtltltllD66-DllaJ/IJtr. l77""62-$16D -,,.,;a. Nabltt- &w:u/i,eDimcltJt,,-