SESSION WATCH
Died SENATE · SESSION 2026

No. SB 574

Recruitment and Retention of Speech-language Pathologists
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SPONSOR
Jones
FILED BY
Shevrin D. Jones — District 34, Democrat [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
DIED IN
Education Pre-K - 12

Filed under Education.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Recruitment and Retention of Speech-language Pathologists; Requiring the Department of Education to develop and maintain a statewide strategic plan for the recruitment and retention of speech-language pathologists and the provision of quality services; providing school district and charter school requirements relating to submitting specified data for the plan, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Mandates annual data reporting and a statewide strategic plan for speech-language pathologists.

The Department of Education must create a strategic plan to recruit and retain speech-language pathologists. This plan must analyze staffing needs, caseloads, and compensation across all public schools.

Every school district and charter school must submit a detailed survey to the department by October 31 each year. The department must publish the integrated plan on its website by November 30.

The plan must include a weighted calculation methodology for determining caseloads and workloads. It must account for time spent on therapy, evaluations, meetings, documentation, and Medicaid billing.

The department must report on Medicaid revenue generated by speech-language pathologists. This includes funds transferred to general revenue and those used for pay supplements and training.

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 comprehensive plan for speech-language pathologist recruitment and retention.

“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 October 31 each year.

“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 and Workload Methodology moderates. 1012.02(1)(e)

AIRequires the strategic plan to include a weighted calculation methodology for determining caseloads and workloads 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 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in Education Pre-K - 12
1/13/2026
Introduced
12/9/2025
Referred to Education Pre-K - 12; Appropriations Committee on...
11/19/2025
Filed
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 1012.02
+601 / −0