1. (a) The executive commissioner shall establish certification criteria for implementing a program.

2. (b) In order to be certified, the program must:

   1. (1) provide hearing screening using equipment recommended by the department;
   2. (2) use appropriate staff to provide the screening;
   3. (3) maintain and report data electronically as required by department rule;
   4. (4) distribute family, health care provider, and physician educational materials standardized by the department;
   5. (5) provide information, as recommended by the department, to the parents on follow-up services for newborns and infants who do not pass the screening; and

   6. (6) be supervised by:

      1. (A) a physician;
      2. (B) an audiologist;
      3. (C) a registered nurse; or
      4. (D) a physician assistant.
3. (c) The department may certify a program that meets and maintains the certification criteria.
4. (d) The department may renew the certification of a program on a periodic basis as established by department rule in order to ensure quality services to newborns, infants, and families.
5. (e) A fee may not be charged to certify or recertify a program.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1347, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1273 (H.B. 411), Sec. 8, eff. June 17, 2011.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.0171, eff. April 2, 2015.