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Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following
words and terms, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following
meanings.
(1)Client--A consumer or proposed consumer of speech-language
pathology or audiology services.
(2)Client site--The physical location of the client
at the time the telehealth services are being provided.
(3)Facilitator--The individual at the client site
who assists with the delivery of the telehealth services at the direction
of the provider.
(4)Provider--An individual who holds a current speech-language
pathology, audiology, or dual license under Texas Occupations Code §401.302
and §401.304; an individual who holds a current speech-language
pathology intern or an audiology intern license under Texas Occupations
Code §401.311; or an individual who holds a current speech-language
pathology assistant or audiology assistant license under Texas Occupations
Code §401.312.
(5)Provider site--The physical location of the provider
at the time the telehealth services are provided which is distant
or remote from the client site.
(6)Telecommunications--Interactive communication at
a distance by concurrent two-way transmission, using telecommunications
technology, of information, including, without limitation, sound,
visual images, and/or computer data, between the client site and the
provider site, and required to occur without a change in the form
or content of the information, as sent and received, other than through
encoding or encryption of the transmission itself for purposes of
and to protect the transmission.
(7)Telecommunications technology--Computers, smart
phones, and equipment, other than analog telephone, email or facsimile
technology and equipment, used or capable of use for purposes of telecommunications.
For purposes of this subchapter, the term includes, without limitation:
(A)compressed digital interactive video, audio, or
data transmission;
(B)clinical data transmission using computer imaging
by way of still-image capture and storage and forward;
(C)smart phones, or any audio-visual, real-time, or
two-way interactive communication system; and
(D)other technology that facilitates the delivery
of telehealth services.
(8)Telehealth--The use of telecommunications and information
technologies for the exchange of information from one site to another
for the provision of speech-language pathology or audiology services
to a client from a provider, including for assessments, interventions,
or consultations regarding a speech-language pathology or audiology
client. For a provider who is an audiologist or an audiology intern,
telehealth includes the use of telecommunications technology for the
fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments. Telehealth is also
referred to as telepractice.
(9)Telehealth services--The application of telecommunication
technology to deliver speech-language pathology and/or audiology services
at a distance for assessment, intervention, and/or consultation including
the rendering of audiology and/or speech-language pathology services
through telehealth to a client who is physically located at a site
other than the site where the provider is located. For a provider
who is an audiologist or an audiology intern, telehealth services
includes the fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments through
telehealth to a client who is physically located at a site other than
the site where the provider is located. Telehealth services are also
referred to as telepractice services.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed
the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal
authority.
Filed
with the Office of the Secretary of State on December 10, 2021
TRD-202104978 Brad Bowman
General Counsel
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
Effective date: December 30, 2021
Proposal publication date: September 10, 2021
For further information, please call: (512) 475-4879
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