Wisconsin Legislative Council
AMENDMENT MEMO
One Ea st Ma in Stre e t, Suite 401 • Ma dison, W I 53703 • (608) 266-1304 • le g.council@le gis.wisconsin.gov • http://www.le gis.wisconsin.gov/lc
Memo published: September 28, 2023 Contact: Patrick Ward, Staff Attorney
2023 Assembly Bill 374
Assembly Substitute
Amendment 1
BACKGROUND
Generally, under state law, hearing aids must be provided by a licensed hearing instrument specialist or
a licensed audiologist. Under federal law, air-conduction hearing aids for use by adults may be
purchased over the counter without a prescription or the involvement of a licensed person. Also under
federal law, any hearing aid that does not meet the over-the-counter requirements requires a
prescription or order.
2023 ASSEMBLY BILL 374
Assembly Bill 374 specifies that a license is not required to sell or fit over-the-counter hearing aids, as
defined under federal law. This generally allows over-the-counter hearing aids to be purchased without
a prescription or the involvement of a licensed person. The bill also removes the requirement that a
hearing instrument specialist must provide a receipt when supplying over-the-counter hearing aids.
ASSEMBLY SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1
In addition to what is included in the bill, Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 updates the scope of
practice for hearing instrument specialists and audiologists to include ordering the use of hearing aids.
The amendment also removes the requirement that an audiologist must provide a receipt when
supplying over-the-counter hearing aids.
BILL HISTORY
Representative Stubbs offered Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 on September 5, 2023. On September
20, 2023, the Assembly Committee on Regulatory Licensing Reform recommended adoption of the
amendment and passage of the bill, as amended, on votes of Ayes, 9; Noes 0.
For a full history of the bill, visit the Legislature’s bill history page.
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