HR1106: HR1106 Audiology Practice Modernization Act; urge state-wide support for passage

This resolution does not change Georgia law. Instead, it expresses the House of Representatives' support for the idea of passing a future law called the "Audiology Practice Modernization Act," which would update the rules that define what audiologists and related hearing healthcare providers are allowed to do. The resolution cites statistics on hearing loss among children and adults, including in Georgia, and states that the practice of audiology has changed with new technology and research, so the law should be updated too. It directs the Clerk of the House to send copies of the resolution to the Governor, the Commissioner of Insurance, the commissioner of public health, the commissioner of community health, and all members of the General Assembly. It does not set an effective date because it does not create binding law.

• Expresses the House of Representatives' support for a future law called the Audiology Practice Modernization Act, without enacting any changes itself.
• States a goal of modernizing the legal scope of practice for audiologists and related hearing healthcare providers.
• Directs the Clerk of the House to send copies of the resolution to the Governor and three state health and insurance commissioners.
• Cites statistics on hearing loss rates in children, adults, and Georgians to explain the reasoning behind the resolution.

Audiologists, audiology assistants, hearing aid dispensers, hearing instrument specialists, and otolaryngologists are named in the text, along with patients who have hearing loss or vestibular (balance) disorders. State officials including the Governor and several health commissioners would receive copies.

Because this is a resolution rather than a bill, it carries no legal force on its own. It signals legislative interest in later revising the scope-of-practice rules that govern who can diagnose and treat hearing and balance conditions in Georgia, which could affect access to care.

• The preamble (WHEREAS clauses) cites national and Georgia-specific hearing loss statistics, including that over 15 percent of Georgians have some hearing loss.
• The resolved clause states the House's support for passage of the Audiology Practice Modernization Act to modernize the scope of audiology practice.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies to the Governor, the Commissioner of Insurance, the commissioner of public health, and the commissioner of community health.

1. 2026-02-25House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
2. 2026-02-02House Second Readers (House)
3. 2026-01-29House First Readers (House)
4. 2026-01-28House Hopper (House)

• Kim Schofield (D, HD-063)Primary sponsor
• Viola Davis (D, HD-087)
• Sandra Scott (D, HD-076)
• Billy Mitchell (D, HD-088)
• Jasmine Clark (D, HD-108)

• audiology
• hearing healthcare
• scope of practice
• medical licensing
• rural health