House Bill No. by Representative Crews amends several provisions related to the registration and licensing of hearing aid dealers in Louisiana. Notably, it removes 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 include 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 return the product for a refund, subject to a cancellation fee.

The bill also introduces a three-day cooling-off period for consumers to cancel their purchase without penalty, requiring notification to the seller via in-person, mail, or electronic means. It modifies the qualifications for new applicants seeking a license, stipulating that they must be 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 include 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)