House Sponsors: HAMOS-KRAUSE-RONEN-COULSON-CROTTY, FLOWERS, MULLIGAN, CURRY,JULIE AND MCGUIRE. Senate Sponsors: RADOGNO-SMITH-OBAMA-MUNOZ-REA Short description: DHS-NEWBORN HEARING SCREENINGS Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Creates the Hearing Screening for Newborns Act. Provides that by December 1, 2002, all hospitals shall conduct hearing screening of all newborn infants. Provides that by July 1, 2000, the Department of Human Services shall organize an advisory committee to: develop and conduct training for hospitals implementing newborn hearing screening and a follow-up program for those infants failing hospital-based screening; develop a referral system for early intervention services and hearing aids for those infants diagnosed with hearing loss; develop an application process for financial assistance for follow-up testing of newborns failing hospital-based screening; and monitor reports with respect to the hearing screening status of all newborns and the availability of third party reimbursement for universal hospital-based hearing screening of newborn infants. Effective immediately. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Provides that the hearing screening advisory committee shall include representatives of audiologists, health insurance plans, hearing-impaired persons, and parents of hearing-impaired children. Adds, as duties of the committee, the development of educational and informational materials for hospital personnel, health care professionals, and parents on appropriate follow-up procedures for infants failing hospital-based screening, and reviewing and making recommendations to the Department of Human Services regarding admini- strative rules. Makes provision for objection to the screening for parents of a newborn who object based on religious beliefs or practices. Authorizes the Department of Human Services to promulgate rules. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 2. Names the Department organizing the advisory committee as the Department of Human Services. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 3. Provides that the hearing screening requirement applies only to hospitals performing deliveries. Provides that hospitals shall report information about each child with a positive hearing screening result to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Provides that the Illinois Department of Public Health shall maintain a registry of cases of positive hearing screening results, including information needed for the purpose of follow-up services. Last action on Bill: PUBLIC ACT.............................. 91-0067 Last action date: 99-07-09 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 3 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status