With around 100 educators attending UEA's Educator Day on the Hill on Friday, the House Education Committee was packed for a hearing on UEA's priority bill, HB 150 School-based Speech-language Pathologist Funding Amendments, which would restore support for school-based speech-language pathologists.
Rep. Jill Koford (R-Weber County) presented HB 150, noting that speech-language pathologists were previously eligible for legislative-funded classroom supply funds but were mistakenly removed from eligibility two years ago. HB 150 reinstates that eligibility.
The bill also makes SLPs eligible for the “salary supplement for highly needed educators” program, which provides stipends for positions local school districts identify as highly needed.
Sarah Cox, president of the Weber Education Association, co-presented the bill with Koford as part of UEA’s priority effort.
During the discussion, Rep. Doug Welton (R-Utah County), a high school educator and UEA member, moved to pass the bill and emphasized the need for supplies, noting that an SLP’s need for classroom materials can be even greater than his own.
"It's long overdue that we address this," said Rep. Welton. Hear his comments below.
The committee passed HB 150 on an 11-2 vote.
