§8823.__Newborn Hearing Screening Advisory Board

The Newborn Hearing Screening Advisory Board, as established in Title 5, section 12004-G, subsection 14-C, is created to provide oversight and advice on the program. The department shall provide administrative support services required by the board.

1.__Duties.__The board shall perform the duties listed in this subsection.

A.__The board shall oversee and advise the commissioner on issues relating to the program, including actions required to accomplish screening of all newborn children by November 1, 2001.

B.__The board shall adopt advisory procedures for hearing screening, evaluation, treatment and intervention services.__ The screening must be performed using automated or diagnostic auditory brain stem response or otoacoustic emissions.

C.__The board shall provide information to the department on hearing screening for children born in locations other than hospitals.

D.__Beginning January 1, 2000, the board shall report each year to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters on the program, the percentages of children being screened and evaluated and those being offered and receiving intervention and treatment services.__ To the extent allowed by available resources, the report must be made available to the public, consumer groups, insurance carriers, health maintenance organizations and managed care organizations, other 3rd-party payors, the media and physicians whose practices include the practice of obstetrics or neonatology.

2.__Composition of the board.__The board consists of an odd number of members, numbering at least 11, appointed by the Governor, including but not limited to representatives from the following interests:

A.__Health professionals, including__audiologists, speech- language pathologists, pediatricians and neonatologists, otolaryngologists, family medical practitioners and neonatal nurses;