H 4122 General Bill, By J. Rama
 A Bill to amend Title 44, Chapter 7, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by
 adding Article 23 so as to establish the Statewide Newborn Hearing Screening
 Program within the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental
 Control in conjunction with the Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities Act.

   01/14/92  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-189
   01/14/92  House  Referred to Committee on Medical, Military,
                     Public and Municipal Affairs HJ-189

A BILL

TO AMEND TITLE 44, CHAPTER 7, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 23 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE STATEWIDE NEWBORN HEARING SCREENING PROGRAM WITHIN THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE INFANTS AND TODDLERS WITH DISABILITIES ACT.

Whereas, deafness in infants is a serious concern because it interferes with the acquisition and development of language skills which develop rapidly in the first few months of life. Research studies have demonstrated that early intervention with hearing-impaired children results in improved language development and increased academic success and lifetime earnings. Hearing-impaired children who receive early help require less costly special education services later in life; and

Whereas, the average age at which profoundly deaf children in the United States are identified is two and one-half years of age, although to be effective, early intervention with deaf children should begin before the child's first birthday. Parents, physicians, and state agencies must work together to do a better job of early identification of hearing loss; and

Whereas, the purpose of this act is to provide a statewide comprehensive and coordinated interdisciplinary program of early hearing impairment screening, identification, and follow-up for children, from birth through two years of age, and their families. This act will assure screening of all newborns for hearing impairment. This program will obtain, with the cooperation of hospitals and birthing facilities, pertinent information regarding children identified with hearing impairment for the purposes of tracking, monitoring, and assessing appropriate intervention strategies for optimal health and educational benefits for the child and the child's family. It is intended that the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control develop the infant hearing screening program, to be incorporated into the early intervention activities of the department required by Article 21 of this chapter, the Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities Act. Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. Title 44, Chapter 7, of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 23

Section 44-7-2810. As used in this article:

(1) `Department' means the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.

(2) `Hearing impaired infant' means an infant who has an impairment that is a dysfunction of the auditory system of any type or degree sufficient to interfere with the acquisition and development of speech and language skills.

(3) `Infant' means a child from birth through two years of age.

(4) `Management' means the habilitation of the hearing-impaired infant.

(5) `Screening' means a test or battery of tests administered to determine the need for a professional examination.

Section 44-7-2820. In conjunction with the responsibilities under Article 21 of this chapter, the Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities Act, the department shall develop:

(1) a statewide program for early identification of and intervention for hearing impairment in infants;

(2) guidelines for the screening, identification, diagnosis, and monitoring of infants with hearing impairment and infants at risk for delayed onset of hearing impairment;

(3) a plan to involve the parents or guardians with the medical and educational follow-up and management of infants who have been identified as hearing impaired or at risk of delayed onset of hearing impairments; and

(4) a plan for the collection of data and evaluation of the program in relation to the duties and responsibilities of the department.

Section 44-7-2830. The department shall promulgate regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this article."

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.