SESSION WATCH
Died HOUSE · SESSION 2026

No. HB 471

Recruitment and Retention of Speech-language Pathologists
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SPONSOR
Chambliss
FILED BY
Kevin Chambliss — District 117, Democrat [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
DIED IN
Careers & Workforce Subcommittee

Filed under Education.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Recruitment and Retention of Speech-language Pathologists; Requires DOE to develop & maintain statewide strategic plan for recruitment & retention of speech-language pathologists & provision of quality services; provides requirements for such plan, DOE, school districts, & charter schools.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Mandates a statewide plan to recruit and retain speech-language pathologists.

The Department of Education must create a strategic plan to recruit and retain speech-language pathologists and ensure quality services for students with disabilities.

School districts and charter schools must submit annual surveys by October 31, providing data on staffing, caseloads, and compensation.

The department must publish the plan and report progress to legislative committees by November 30 each year.

The plan must include a weighted methodology for determining caseloads and workloads for speech-language pathologists.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Mandatory Statewide Strategic Plan majors. 1012.02(1)

AICreates a new legal duty for the Department of Education to develop and maintain a strategic plan specifically for speech-language pathologists.

“The Department of Education shall develop and maintain a statewide strategic plan for recruiting and retaining speech- language pathologists” bill text, line 23 →
§ 2 Mandatory Annual Data Submission majors. 1012.02(2)(b)

AIRequires every school district and charter school to complete and submit a specific survey to the Department of Education by a fixed annual deadline.

“Each school district and charter school must complete and submit such survey to the department no later than October 31 of each year” bill text, line 97 →
§ 3 Mandatory Caseload Methodology majors. 1012.02(1)(e)

AIRequires the Department of Education to develop a weighted calculation methodology to determine the caseload and workload plan for speech-language pathologists.

“The development and implementation of a weighted calculation methodology for determining a caseload and workload plan for speech-language pathologists” bill text, line 69 →
§ 4 Mandatory Public Reporting moderates. 1012.02(2)(c)

AIRequires the Department of Education to publish the strategic plan on its website and report progress to legislative committees by a fixed annual deadline.

“No later than November 30 of each year, the department shall publish the statewide strategic plan on its website” bill text, line 100 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in Careers & Workforce Subcommittee
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
11/24/2025
Now in Careers & Workforce Subcommittee
11/24/2025
Referred to Education & Employment Committee
11/24/2025
Referred to Education Administration Subcommittee
11/24/2025
Referred to Careers & Workforce Subcommittee
11/19/2025
Filed
1 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 1012.02
+598 / −0