§ 20-15-1101. Purpose

The purpose of this subchapter is to provide a statewide coordinated early intervention program to identify and follow up with testing and treatment of newborn infants who are at risk for hearing impairment.

§ 20-15-1102. Definitions

As used in this subchapter: (1) [Repealed.] (2) “Newborn infant with hearing impairment” means a newborn infant who has a disorder of the auditory system of any type or degree causing a hearing impairment sufficient to interfere with the development of language and speech skills; (3) “Newborn infants at risk” means those newborn infants who […]

§ 20-15-1103. Creation

(a) There is established in the Department of Health a program to be known as the “Newborn Infant Hearing Screening Program”. The program shall provide for the early identification and follow-up of newborn infants at risk. (b) The program shall include: (1) Development through the promulgation of rules and criteria or factors to identify those […]

§ 20-15-1104. Screening of newborns

(a) (1) All hospitals, birthing centers, and lay midwives shall complete a hearing impairment at-risk questionnaire for each newborn infant before discharge or, in the case of a lay midwife, within seventy-two (72) hours of the birth of the infant. (2) All hearing impairment at-risk questionnaires shall be completed by a designee of the hospital […]

§ 20-15-1105. Provision of services — Test results — Follow-up care

(a) The hospital, birthing center, or lay midwife may elect to provide for the screening of infants for hearing impairment but is not required to do so by this subchapter. (b) Any facility screening infants for hearing impairment shall forward test results on a screening report to the Department of Health by the fifteenth of […]

§ 20-15-1106. Coordination of services

The Department of Health, the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Department of Human Services shall work cooperatively and develop a plan to coordinate early educational and rehabilitative services for newborn infants identified as hearing impaired.

§ 20-15-1107. Immunity

Any person or entity who reports in good faith and without malice or who in good faith and without malice fails to report the information required by this subchapter shall have immunity from any liability, civil or criminal, that might be incurred or imposed in any action resulting from such a report. Any such person […]