The bill amends South Dakota law to enhance support for children with severe to profound hearing loss by providing funding for cochlear implants and hearing aids. Specifically, it increases the annual appropriation from $200,000 to $500,000 from the telecommunication fund for the deaf, which will be allocated to the Department of Human Services. The funding is designated for children under the age of 21 who require these devices, as recommended by a certified hearing audiologist.

Additionally, the bill specifies that the appropriated funds can only be used for children who are not covered by health insurance or Medicaid, or to cover costs not paid by insurance, such as deductibles and coinsurance. This ensures that financial barriers are minimized for families seeking necessary hearing assistance for their children.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 02/05/2025: 49-31-50, 49-31-50.1