House Bill No. 1424, introduced by Representative Crews, amends various provisions related to the registration and licensing of hearing aid dealers in Louisiana. Key changes include the removal of the requirement for hearing aid dealers to assist the Department of Revenue in collecting sales taxes on hearing aids and related services. The definition of "hearing aid" is expanded to align with specifications set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Additionally, the bill mandates that sellers provide an email address in the bill of sale or contract and outlines a thirty-day testing period for hearing aids, during which consumers can cancel their purchase, subject to a cancellation fee.

The bill also introduces a three-day cooling-off period for consumers to cancel their hearing aid orders without penalty, with notification options including in-person, mail, or electronic communication. It modifies the requirements for new applicants seeking a license, specifying that they must have been in good standing for at least two years from the date of application, rather than having engaged in fitting and selling hearing aids in the two years prior to the law's effective date. Furthermore, the scope of examination for licensing is clarified to be determined by the Louisiana Board for Hearing Aid Dealers or its assignees, and it expands the notification requirements for license holders regarding their business addresses.

Statutes affected:
HB1228 Original: 37:2441(B), 37:2442(2), 37:2(A), 37:2445(3), 37:2450(A)
HB1228 Engrossed: 37:2441(B), 37:2442(2), 37:2(A), 37:2445(3), 37:2450(A)