Senate Bill No. by Senator Kleinpeter and Representative Chassion seeks to amend and reenact various sections of Chapter 30-A of Title 46 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, specifically addressing newborn hearing screening. The bill introduces updated terminology and definitions, such as "congenital deafness" and "early intervention," while rebranding the chapter from "Identification of Hearing Loss in Infants Law" to "Newborn Hearing Screening Law." It emphasizes the importance of early identification of infants who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing, outlining a comprehensive program that includes screening, audiological evaluation, and referral to early intervention and family support services. The bill also specifies the responsibilities of the office of public health in establishing a program for early detection and intervention, which includes tracking data related to newborn hearing screening.

Additionally, the bill mandates that all birth hospitals, freestanding birth centers, and outpatient audiological testing providers report newborn hearing screening results and reasons for any lack of screening, ensuring that newborns undergo hearing screening before discharge using approved methods. An advisory council of 21 members with expertise in hearing health will be established to provide guidance on risk factors for hearing loss and set standards for screening. The program will maintain a database for early hearing detection and intervention data, promoting timely information and support services for families. Overall, the bill aims to enhance early detection and intervention processes for infants with hearing loss, fostering empowered communities and reducing public expenditures on related services.

Statutes affected:
SB451 Original: 46:1(4)
SB451 Engrossed: 46:1(4)
SB451 Reengrossed: 46:1(4)
SB451 Enrolled: 46:1(4)