In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Hearing status” means the state of an individual’s ability to perceive sound, based on audiological assessment. “Infant” means a child who is under the age of 1 year. “Newborn” means a child up to 29 days old who is born in the State. “Program” means the program that the Secretary establishes to provide for universal hearing screening of newborns and early identification and follow–up of newborns and infants who have, or are at risk for developing, a permanent hearing status that affects speech–language skills.

The Secretary shall establish a program for the universal hearing screening of newborns and early identification and follow–up of newborns and infants who have, or who are at risk for developing, a permanent hearing status that affects speech–language skills. The program shall be based on the model system developed by the Department.

There is an Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Advisory Council for the Program. The Advisory Council consists of 12 members appointed by the Secretary. Of the 12 members: 1 shall be a physician with expertise in childhood hearing status that affects speech–language skills; 3 shall be from the field of education: 1 shall be from the Maryland State Department of Education; 1 shall be from the Maryland School for the Deaf; and 1 shall be an educator of the deaf from a local education agency; 1 shall be from the Maryland Department of Health; 1 shall be a mental health professional with expertise in the area of deafness; 2 shall be parents of children with a permanent hearing status that affects speech–language skills; 1 shall be from the Maryland Association of the Deaf; 1 shall be an audiologist with expertise in childhood hearing status that affects speech–language skills; 1 shall be from the Alexander Graham Bell Association of Maryland; and 1 shall be from the Governor’s Office of the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing. The term of a member is 3 years. The term of a member begins July 1. The terms of members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Advisory Council on July 1, 2014. At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies. A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term or until a successor is appointed and qualifies. A member who serves 2 consecutive 3–year terms may not be reappointed for 3 years after completion of those terms. The Advisory Council shall elect a chairperson from among its members. The Advisory Council shall meet at least 4 times a year at the times and places that it determines. A member of the Advisory Council: May not receive compensation; but Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. The Advisory Council shall: Advise the Department on the implementation of the Program; Advise the Department on the development of protocols to assist hospitals, health care providers, and audiologists in conducting universal newborn hearing screening and follow–up hearing evaluations of infants; Provide consultation to the Department in the establishment of an educational program for families, professionals, and the public that can be integrated with existing State and local education agency programs; and Review any materials the Department may distribute to the public concerning the Program. In consultation with the Advisory Council, the Department shall develop guidelines for the operations of the Advisory Council.

The Secretary may contract with any qualified person to administer the Program. The Secretary shall: Develop a system to gather and maintain data; Develop methods to: Contact parents or guardians of newborns and their identified primary care providers regarding the results of the newborn hearing screening; Contact parents or guardians of newborns and infants who have, or are at risk for developing, a permanent hearing status that affects speech–language skills; and Ensure families are referred to appropriate services; Establish a toll–free telephone line to communicate information about hearing status that affects speech–language skills and services for infants who have, or are at risk for developing, a permanent hearing status that affects speech–language skills; Appoint an Advisory Council for the Program; Meet annually with the Advisory Council; and In consultation with the Advisory Council, adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement the Program.

As part of the supplemental information required to be submitted to the Department as part of the birth event, a hospital shall include the results of the hearing screening of the newborn. The Department may adopt regulations for results reporting procedures for hospitals, birthing sites, and audiologists.