1. (a) The department or the department's designee 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 the department;
   4. (4) distribute family, health care provider, and physician educational materials standardized by the department; and
   5. (5) provide information, as recommended by the department, to the parents on follow-up services for newborns and infants with abnormal screening results.
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 board rule in order to ensure quality services to newborns 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.