ALASKA

Statute: Sec.6
Sec. 47.20.340. Outreach campaign.The department shall conduct a community outreach and awareness campaign to inform medical providers, pregnant women, and families of newborns and infants of the newborn and infant hearing screening, tracking, and intervention program and the value of early hearing screening, tracking, and intervention.

ARIZONA

Statute: 36-693
D. The director of the department of health services shall establish a newborn screening program within the department to assure that the testing for congenital disorders and the reporting of hearing test results required by this section are conducted in an effective and efficient manner. The newborn screening program shall include an education program for the general public, the medical community, parents and professional groups.

ARKANSAS

Statute: Sec.4. (c) Any birthing hospital, provider or physician screening newborns and infants shall provide information on locations at which medical and audiological follow-up care and follow-up screening can be obtained by the parents or guardians of the newborn and infant. [Source: SB 819, 1999]

CALIFORNIA

Statute: Sec.23. 124120. The department shall conduct a community outreach and awareness campaign to inform medical providers, pregnant women, and the families of newborns and infants on the availability of the newborn hearing screening program and the value of early hearing testing. The outreach and awareness campaign shall be conducted by an independent contractor. [Source: AB2780, 1998]

COLORADO

Statute: Sec. 1. (3)(a) YToward that end, on and after July 1, 1997, every licensed or certifies hospital shall educate the parents of infants born in such hospitals of the importance of screening the hearing of newborn infants and follow-up care. Education shall not be considered a substitute for the hearing screening described in this section.

Sec. 1. (5) A physician, nurse, midwife, or other health professional attending a birth outside a hospital or institution shall provide information, as established by the department, to parents regarding places where the parents may have their infants' hearing screened and the importance of such screening. [Source: HOUSE BILL 97-1095]

CONNECTICUT

Statute: Sec. 9. Y [(a)] (b) The Department of Public Health shall establish a plan to implement and operate a program of early identification of infant hearing impairment. The purpose of such plan shall be to:(1) Identify infants at high risk of having hearing impairments; (2) notify parents of such infants of the risk; (3) inform parents of resources available to them for further testing and treatment, including rehabilitation services for such infants, and (4) inform parents of financial assistance available through the Department of Public Health, including, but not limited to, parental eligibility criteria, which may result in reduced cost or no cost to parents for testing, evaluation or treatment, including rehabilitation of such infants. [Source: HB 8007, 1997]

FLORIDA

Statute: Sec.1, (3), i)When a newborn is delivered in a facility other than a hospital, the parents must be instructed on the importance of having the hearing screening performed and must be given information to assist them in having the screening performed within 3 months after the child's birth.[Source: HB 399]

GEORGIA

Statute: Sec. 1. e) Y Toward that end, on and after July 1 of the first year following the year this Code section first becomes effective, every licensed or certified hospital and physician shall educate the parents of newborn infants born in such hospitals of the importance of screening the hearing of newborn infants and follow-up care. Education shall not be considered a substitute for the hearing screening described in this subsection. [Source: HB 717]

ILLINOIS

Statute: Section 20.Hearing screening advisory committee. By July 1, 2000, the Department of Human Services shall organize an advisory committee including representatives from the Department of Public Health, the University of Illinois Division of Specialized Care for Children, public and private hospitals, pediatric associations, audiologists, health insurance plans, hearing-impaired persons, parents of hearing-impaired children, and early intervention services. The committee shall: (e) Develop educational and informational materials for hospital personnel, health care professionals, and parents on appropriate follow-up procedures for infants failing hospital-based screening. [Source HB 596, 1999]

MAINE

Statute: Sec. 3. 22 MRSA c. 1687 is enacted to read: ... '8822. 1. Beginning November 1, 1999, a hospital shall provide information to the parents of newborns born in the hospital of the importance of screening the hearing of newborns, and of receiving follow-up care. The information must explain the process of hearing screening, the likelihood of a child having a hearing loss, follow-up procedures and community resources and must include a description of the normal auditory, speech and language development process in children. 2. Information to parents of children born outside of hospitals. By November 1, 2001, when a newborn is delivered in a facility other than a hospital, the department shall provide information to the parents on the merits of having the hearing screening performed and on the availability of hearing screening within 3 months of the date of birth. [Source: LD 1814, 1999]

MARYLAND

Statute: SECTION 2. 19-705.1. c) (4) The health maintenance organization shall:(i) Offer or arrange for preventive services that include health education and counseling, early disease detection, [and] immunization, AND HEARING LOSS SCREENING OF NEWBORNS PROVIDED BY A HOSPITAL BEFORE DISCHARGE; (ii) Develop or arrange for periodic health education on subjects which impact on the health status of a member population; [Source: SB 624, 1999]

MASSACHUSETTS

Rule: 130.629 B. 1. Prior to the hearing screening of a newborn infant, the hospital or birth center shall include information explaining the importance of newborn hearing screening and follow-up in materials distributed to parents or guardians. a. This information shall be readily available in the languages of any non-English speaking group which comprises at least 10% of the birth hospital or birth center's obstetrical services population. b. Translation of the information to languages used by a smaller percentage of the obstetrical population shall be provided prior to the hearing screening to the maximum extent possible, but in no event later than discharge. c. For a hospital without a maternal newborn service from which a newborn infant may be initially discharged to home, the hospital shall ensure that translation of the hearing screening information is provided to non-English speaking parents or guardians of a newborn infant prior to discharge to the maximum extent possible. [Source: 105 CMR 130.629]

MISSISSIPPI

Statute: SECTION 1. (1) . . . (b) make reasonable efforts to promptly notify the child's parents or guardian that the child may have a hearing impairment and shall explain to them the potential effect of such impairment on the development of the child's speech and language skills. [Source: HB572, 1997]

MISSOURI

Statute: SCS HB 401. Authorized facilities, physicians, and other persons providing pediatric care to newborns are required to provide parents or guardians of newborns with information from the Department of Health about screening for hearing loss and implications for treatment or nontreatment before the examination is conducted. YIf the newborn fails the screening test, authorized facilities, physicians, and other persons are required to provide educational information to parents or guardians promoting further diagnostic assessments and the identification of community resources... [Source: HB401, 1999]

MONTANA

Statute: Section 2. (2) The department shall adopt rules to: ... (b) develop information for and procedures by which health care providers, local health departments, health care clinics, school districts, and other appropriate resources may promote the importance of the screening of newborn infants' hearing and provide information regarding locations where screenings may be accessed for those newborn infants either not born in a hospital or who do not receive a screening in a hospital; and...

Section 4. (1) Each licensed hospital, health care facility, or health care provider that provides obstetric services shall provide education to parents of infants born in the hospital or health care facility of the importance of screening the hearing of newborn infants and followup care. Education is not considered a substitute for the hearing screening. [Source: HB 468, 2001]

NEBRASKA

Statute: 71-4740. Hearing loss educational information. (1) Beginning January 1, 2001, every birthing facility shall educate the parents of newborns born in such facilities of the importance of receiving a hearing screening test and any necessary followup care. This educational information shall explain, in lay terms, the hearing screening test, the likelihood of the newborn having a hearing loss, follow-up procedures, and community resources, including referral for early intervention services under the Early Intervention Act. The educational information shall also include a description of the, normal auditory, speech, and language developmental process in children. Education shall not be considered a substitute for the hearing screening test.

(2) If a newborn is not born in a birthing facility, the Department of Health and Human Services shall educate the parents of such newborns of the importance of receiving a hearing screening test and any necessary followup care. The department shall also give parents information to assist them in having the test performed within three months after the date of the child's birth. [Source: LB950, 2000]

NEVADA

Statute: Sec.11.1. The health division shall create written brochures that use terms which are easily understandable to a parent or legal guardian of a newborn child and include, without limitation: (a) Information concerning the importance of screening the hearing of a newborn child; and (b) A description of the normal development of auditory processes, speech and language in children.

Sec.11.2. The health division shall provide the brochures created pursuant to subsection 1 to each licensed hospital and each licensed obstetric center in this state. These facilities shall provide the brochures to the parents or legal guardians of a newborn child. [Source: AB 250, 2001]

NEW JERSEY

Statute: 8:19-1.1 Prior to the discharge of a live newborn from any hospital or birthing center in the State of New Jersey, the hospital nursery, neonatal intensive care unit or birthing center shall provide all parents or legal guardians of the newborn with literature provided by a department of Health and Senior Services (hereafter, the Department) describing the normal development of auditory function and the'; Newborn Hearing Screening Program. Such literature will be designed to provide parents with an understanding of the implications of hearing loss on the development of speech-language and provide information regarding normal auditory behavior. [Source: NJ Administrative Code Title 8. Chapter 19]

NEW YORK

Rule: Sec. 69-8.4 (b) Prior to the hearing screening, parents shall be provided educational materials, supplied by the Department to the facility, or consistent in content with Department-supplied materials, regarding infant hearing screening.

(1) (d) The parent shall be provided educational materials, supplied by the Department to the facility, on developmental milestones for communication and signs of hearing loss in young children. (5) (h) (2) The parent shall be provided with educational materials on the importance of early detection of hearing loss, supplied by or consistent with Department materials. (5) (h) (vi) (2) The parent shall be provided with educational materials on the importance of early detection of hearing loss, supplied by or consistent with Department materials.

Sec. 69-8.5 (b) (2) The parent shall be provided with educational materials on the importance of early detection of hearing loss, supplied by or consistent with department materials; and, a list of licensed providers and/or article 28 facilities where infant hearing screening may be obtained. [Source: Part 69 of Subchapter H of

Chapter II of Title 10 (Health) of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations]

NORTH CAROLINA

Statute: '130A-124. (a), (1) Development and distribution of educational materials regarding the availability and benefits of newborn screening. [Source: CHAPTER 130A.]

OREGON

Statute: SECTION 1. (2) All Oregon hospitals and birthing centers with less than 200 live births per year shall provide the parent or guardian of a newborn child with the appropriate information furnished by the Health Division concerning the importance of newborn hearing screening tests. [Source: HB3246, 1999]

Rule: 333-020-0130 5) Hospitals or birthing centers with fewer than 200 live births per year, and which are not providing the Newborn Hearing Screening Test, shall provide the parent or guardian of a newborn child born in their facility with information furnished by the Division concerning the importance of newborn hearing screening tests. [Administrative Rule, Division 20, 333-020-0130 as of Stat. Auth.: 1999 Oregon Laws, Ch. 958 Stat. Implemented: 1999 Oregon Laws, Ch. 958]

PENNSYLVANIA

Statute: SB No. 100, Sec.5, (d), (3), A...By July 1, 2002, every health care facility in this Commonwealth shall provide information and instruct the parents of newborns and infants concerning the importance of screening the hearing of newborns and infants and of receiving follow-up care. An informational packet developed and supplied by the department shall explain in lay terms the importance and process of hearing screening, the likelihood of a newborn or infant having hearing loss, follow-up procedures and available early intervention services. The educational information shall also include a description of the normal auditory, speech and language developmental process in children. This information shall not preclude the health care facility from providing additional material nor shall it be considered a substitute for the hearing screening...@ [Source: SB No. 100, 2001]

SOUTH CAROLINA

Statute: Section 44-37-40. A. (C) (2) Beginning no later than April 1, 2001, every hospital in this State shall provide educational information for the parents of newborns born in that hospital concerning the hearing screening procedure and the importance of the screening. Education may not be considered a substitute for the hearing screening.(3) When a newborn is delivered in a hospital where the hearing screening is not required pursuant to subsection (C)(1) or somewhere other than a hospital, the parents must be instructed on the importance of a hearing screening and of having the screening performed within one month of the child's birth date. Parents also must be given information to assist them in having the screening performed. The department shall determine the appropriate screening venue for newborns not receiving a hospital-conducted screening. [Source: 2000 Appropriations B Part II B Section 48]

TEXAS

Statute: Sec. 47.005. INFORMATION CONCERNING SCREENING RESULTS AND FOLLOW-UP CARE. (a) A birthing facility that operates a program shall distribute to the parents of each newborn who is screened educational materials that are standardized by the department regarding screening results and follow-up care. [Source: HB714, 1999]

Rule: RULE '37.507 Information Concerning Screening Results and Follow-up Care(b) Birthing facilities must provide information recommended by the department to the parents regarding available follow-up services for newborns and infants with abnormal screening results. [Source: Rules (Title 25 - Part 1 - Chapter 37 - Subchapter S Newborn Hearing Screening)]

UTAH

Rule: R3 98-2-5. Information to Parents and. Primary Care Providers. (1) Institutions or persons primarily responsible for births shall provide information about newborn hearing screening to parents and primary care providers of newborns. This shall include: (a) information, which shall be available to parents at the time of birth, about the purpose of newborn hearing screening, the procedures used for screening, the benefits of newborn hearing screening, and the consequences of hearing loss; (b) whether each live birth was screened prior to discharge from the institution, (c) the results of the completed newborn hearing screening procedure;(d) what follow-up screening procedures, if any, are recommended and where those procedures can be obtained. (2) For babies who require additional procedures to complete the screening after being discharged from the birthing institution, the institution shall provide parents and the primary care providers with written notice about the availability and importance of the additional screening procedures. For babies who do not complete additional hearing screening procedures, the institution shall send a second written notice to the parents and the primary care provider. [Source: R398-2 Newborn Hearing Screening]

VIRGINIA

Statute: ' 32.1-64.2. Ythe Commissioner shall contact the parents of children identified with hearing impairment or at risk of hearing impairment, their physicians and the relevant local early intervention program to provide them with information about available public and private health care and educational resources including any hearing impairment clinics. [Source: S 585, 1998]