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Public Act 91-0067
HB0596 Enrolled LRB9102397SMpr
AN ACT regarding hearing screening for newborns.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
Hearing Screening for Newborns Act.
Section 5. Mandatory hearing screening. By December 31,
2002, all hospitals performing deliveries shall conduct
hearing screening of all newborn infants prior to discharge.
Section 10. Reports to Department of Public Health.
Hospitals shall report information about each child with a
positive hearing screening result to the Illinois Department
of Public Health.
Section 15. Department of Public Health to maintain
registry of cases. The Illinois Department of Public Health
shall maintain a registry of cases of positive hearing
screening results, including information needed for the
purpose of follow-up services.
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:
(a) Develop and conduct training for hospitals
implementing newborn hearing screening.
(b) Develop a tracking and follow-up program for
diagnostic hearing testing for those infants failing
hospital-based screening, in order to diagnose congenital
hearing loss.
(c) Develop a referral system to early intervention
services and hearing aids for those infants diagnosed with
hearing loss.
(d) Develop an application process for financial
assistance by the Division of Specialized Care for Children
for follow-up diagnostic hearing testing of newborns failing
hospital-based screening.
(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.
(f) Monitor any reports made available to the State with
respect to the hearing screening status of all newborns.
(g) Monitor the availability of third party reimbursement
for universal hospital-based hearing screening of newborn
infants.
(h) Review administrative rules and make recommendations
to the Department regarding such rules.
Section 25. Objections to test. The provisions of this
Act shall not apply when the parent or guardian of the
newborn infant objects to hearing screening on the grounds
that the screening conflicts with his or her religious
beliefs and practices. A written statement of the objection
shall be presented to the physician or other person whose
duty it is to administer and report the screening under the
provisions of this Act.
Section 30. Rules. The Department of Human Services
shall promulgate rules necessary to implement this Act.
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.
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