§ 20-15-1104 — Screening of newborns

(a) (1) All hospitals, birthing centers, and lay midwives shall complete a hearing impairment at-risk questionnaire for each newborn infant before discharge or, in the case of a lay midwife, within seventy-two (72) hours of the birth of the infant. (2) All hearing impairment at-risk questionnaires shall be completed by a designee of the hospital or birthing center or by the midwife. (3) However, no infant shall be screened for hearing impairment whose parent presents a written statement that he or she objects to the screening of his or her child. (b) The hospital, birthing center, or lay midwife shall forward to the Department of Health a copy of all completed questionnaires. (c) The hospital, birthing center, or lay midwife shall provide the parents or guardians of all newborn infants with written materials provided by the department concerning hearing impairment.

Legislative History

Acts 1993, No. 1096, § 4; 1995, No. 1296, § 78.