§ 9:14A-1 — Report of deaf children under six years; care and treatment; notice to commissioner of education

It shall be the duty of every attending or consulting physician, nurse, parent or guardian having charge of any minor under six years of age who is totally deaf or whose hearing is impaired to report the same at once in writing to the state department of health, giving the name, age and residence of such minor to the director of health and furnish such additional information as the director may require. If the director, after investigation, finds that such minor is not receiving adequate care and treatment, he shall report the facts relative to such minor to the appropriate welfare or other official agency which may provide for such care and treatment. If the case of such minor is referred to any welfare officer, when he has approved the provision of such medical or surgical care and treatment as is needed, and which the parent is unable to provide, the cost thereof shall be a charge against the municipality in which the child resides. The director of health shall in each instance notify the state commissioner of education of his disposition of the case, and the name of the official or agency to whom the same was referred. The commissioner of education, when in his judgment it is desirable, shall communicate to the parent, guardian, official or agency the location of the resident schools for the deaf and also the nearest public school having special classes and also instruction for the hard of hearing with information concerning the advantages offered by the school and the benefits to accrue to the child from attendance at such school, classes or instruction.