EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXIS TING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb1298*
HOUSE BILL 1298
J2 5lr3102
CF SB 919
By: Delegate Martinez
Introduced and read first time: February 7, 2025
Assigned to: Health and Government Operations
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Health Occupations – Practice of Audiology – Definition 2
FOR the purpose of altering the definition of “practice audiology”, including by clarifying 3
that the ordering and performing of certain scanning and imaging are included as 4
these procedures relate to auditory or vestibular conditions in the human ear; and 5
generally relating to the practice of audiology. 6
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 7
Article – Health Occupations 8
Section 2–101(a) and (b) 9
Annotated Code of Maryland 10
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 11
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 12
Article – Health Occupations 13
Section 2–101(q) 14
Annotated Code of Maryland 15
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 16
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 17
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 18
Article – Health Occupations 19
2–101. 20
(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. 21
(b) “Audiologist” means an individual who practices audiology. 22
2 HOUSE BILL 1298
(q) (1) “Practice audiology” means to USE ANY MEANS KNOWN IN THE 1
SCIENCE OF AUDIOLOGY TO: 2
(i) Evaluate, diagnose, manage, and treat auditory or vestibular 3
conditions in the human ear; 4
(ii) Prescribe, order, sell, dispense, or fit hearing aids to an 5
individual for the correction or relief of a condition for which hearing aids are worn; 6
(iii) Prescribe, order, sell, dispense, or externally fit a sound 7
processor to an osseo–integrated device for the correction or relief of a condition for which 8
osseo–integrated devices are worn; and 9
(iv) Prescribe, order, sell, dispense, or externally fit a sound 10
processor to a cochlear implant for the correction or relief of a condition for which cochlear 11
implants are worn. 12
(2) “Practice audiology” includes: 13
(i) The conducting of health screenings RELATED TO AUDITORY 14
OR VESTIBULAR CONDIT IONS OR REQUIRED BY FEDERAL, STATE, OR THIRD–PARTY 15
PAYERS; 16
(ii) The removal of a foreign body from the external auditory canal 17
that is not impacted to the point it requires anesthesia; 18
(iii) The removal of cerumen from the external auditory canal that is 19
not impacted to the point it requires anesthesia; 20
(iv) The ordering of cultures and bloodwork testing as it relates to 21
the auditory or vestibular conditions in the human ear; 22
(v) The ordering and performing of in–office, nonradiographic 23
scanning or imaging of the external auditory canal AS IT RELATES TO THE AUDITORY OR 24
VESTIBULAR CONDITIONS IN THE HUMAN EAR ; and 25
(vi) The ordering of radiographic imaging as it relates to the auditory 26
or vestibular conditions in the human ear. 27
(3) “Practice audiology” does not include: 28
(i) Surgery using an instrument, including a laser, a scalpel, a 29
needle, cautery, a cryoprobe, or a suture, in which human tissue is cut, burned, vaporized, 30
removed, or otherwise permanently altered by mechanical means, laser, ionizing radiation, 31
ultrasound, or other means; 32
HOUSE BILL 1298 3
(ii) Osseo–integrated device surgery; 1
(iii) Cochlear implant surgery; or 2
(iv) The preparation, operation, or performance of radiographic 3
imaging. 4
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 5
1, 2025. 6