1. (a) Each hospital that provides obstetrical services shall establish a universal newborn hearing screening program to ensure that:

   1. (1)

      1. (i) All newborns born in the hospital are screened for hearing loss before discharge; and
      2. (ii) The results are reported as required under § 13-605 of this article; and

   2. (2) Before discharge and to the extent practicable, the hospital provides to the parent or legal guardian of a newborn identified as having a hearing loss under item (1)(i) of this subsection a list of resources available for parents of children with hearing loss, including:

      1. (i) Locations for subsequent testing; and
      2. (ii) Resources on language and communication mode options for communicating with their child.

2. (b) The universal newborn hearing screening program established under this section shall consist of at least one of the following screening tests:

   1. (1) Auditory brain stem response;
   2. (2) Otoacoustic emissions; or
   3. (3) Another appropriate screening test recommended by the Advisory Council and approved by the Secretary.

Added by Acts 1999, c. 127, § 2, eff. July 1, 2000; Acts 1999, c. 128, § 2, eff. July 1, 2000. Amended by Acts 2019, c. 741, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2019; Acts 2019, c. 742, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2019.