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<section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="8-604" title_number="8" title_name="Special Programs for Exceptional Children" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Hearing Aid and Language and Communication Video Loan Bank Program">
  <level label="a">
    <text>The Program shall lend a suitable hearing aid to a parent or legal guardian of an eligible individual who has no immediate access to a hearing aid on receipt of:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>A prescription from an otolaryngologist or a licensed audiologist; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Any documents required by the Program to prove that the individual is an eligible individual who has no immediate access to a hearing aid.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the loan period shall be for not more than 1 year.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The Program may extend the original loan period for the loan of a hearing aid for an additional 1–year period if, prior to each extension, the Program determines that:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>The individual does not have immediate access to another hearing aid under Medicaid, the Maryland Children’s Health Program, or private health insurance;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>The individual’s parent or legal guardian currently does not have the financial means to obtain immediate access to another hearing aid; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>The individual’s parent or legal guardian is making reasonable efforts to obtain access to another hearing aid.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>A parent or legal guardian who borrows a hearing aid from the Loan Bank for an eligible individual shall:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Be the custodian of the hearing aid;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Return the hearing aid immediately to the Loan Bank on the expiration of the loan period or receipt of a suitable permanent hearing aid, whichever occurs first;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Be responsible for the proper care and use of the hearing aid;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>Be responsible for any damage to or loss of the hearing aid; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>Sign a written agreement provided by the State Superintendent that states the term and conditions of the loan.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>If the parent or legal guardian of an eligible individual receives a hearing aid on loan from the Loan Bank, the Program shall ensure that the eligible individual’s otolaryngologist or licensed audiologist instructs the parent or legal guardian about the proper care and use of a hearing aid provided under the Program.</text>
  </level>
</section>
