Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Licenses Added to Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund

Kentucky Legislative Events

Published April 3rd, 2026

Detected April 4th, 2026

Summary

Kentucky Governor signed HB266 into law, amending KRS 164.0401 to include speech-language pathology and audiology licenses as eligible healthcare credentials for the Kentucky healthcare workforce investment fund. The bill passed unanimously in both chambers (95-0 House, 38-0 Senate) during the 2026 Regular Session.

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What changed

Kentucky enacted HB266, which amends Kentucky Revised Statute 164.0401 to add speech-language pathology and audiology licenses to the definition of 'eligible healthcare credential' for purposes of the Kentucky healthcare workforce investment fund. The bill was sponsored by Representatives Peyton Griffee, Walker Thomas, Steven Doan, Vanessa Grossl, Kim King, Bobby McCool, and Lisa Willner. The legislation passed with unanimous support through both chambers without any recorded dissenting votes.

Healthcare providers and educational institutions in Kentucky should review the amendment to understand how speech-language pathology and audiology credentials now qualify for workforce investment fund benefits. The change expands access to workforce development resources for these healthcare professions without imposing new compliance obligations or deadlines on affected entities.

What to do next

Review amended KRS 164.0401 to understand updated eligibility criteria for the Kentucky healthcare workforce investment fund
Determine if your organization offers speech-language pathology or audiology programs eligible for workforce investment fund participation
Update credentialing and workforce development documentation to reflect new eligible credential types

Source document (simplified)

ChangeBridge / Kentucky / HB266 Signed by Governor HB266 House Bill Signed by Governor 2026-04-03

AN ACT relating to healthcare credentials eligible for the Kentucky healthcare workforce investment fund.

Amend KRS 164.0401 to add a speech-language pathology or audiology license to the definition of "eligible healthcare credential" for the purpose of the Kentucky healthcare workforce investment fund.

Bill Details

State Kentucky

Session 2026 Regular Session

Chamber House

Official Source apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/hb266....

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Action History

2026-04-03 H signed by Governor 2026-03-26 H delivered to Governor 2026-03-26 H enrolled, signed by President of the Senate 2026-03-26 H enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House 2026-03-26 H received in House 2026-03-25 S 3rd reading, passed 38-0 2026-03-24 S passed over and retained in the Consent Orders of the Day 2026-03-20 S posted for passage in the Consent Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 24 2026 2026-03-19 S 2nd reading, to Rules as a consent bill 2026-03-18 S reported favorably, 1st reading, to Consent Calendar 2026-03-16 S to Health Services (S) 2026-02-10 S to Committee on Committees (S) 2026-02-10 S received in Senate 2026-02-09 H 3rd reading, passed 95-0 2026-02-06 H posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Monday, February 09 2026 2026-02-04 H 2nd reading, to Rules 2026-02-03 H reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar 2026-01-15 H to Postsecondary Education (H) 2026-01-08 H to Committee on Committees (H) 2026-01-08 H introduced in House

Votes

2026-02-09 House: Veto Override RCS# 72 Yea: 95 Nay: 0 2026-03-25 Senate: Third Reading RSN# 3996 Yea: 38 Nay: 0

Committee Referrals

2026-01-08 H Committee On Committees 2026-01-15 H Postsecondary Education 2026-02-04 H Rules 2026-02-10 S Committee on Committees 2026-03-16 S Health Services 2026-03-19 S Rules

Bill Text Versions

0000-00-00 Introduced 0000-00-00 Engrossed

Subjects

Education, Higher Health and Medical Services Health Care Professionals Licensing Occupations and Professions Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)