53-19-403. Task force. (1) There is a task force on hearing loss in newborn infants for the purpose of advising the department of public health and human services on the collection and reporting of information from the hospitals and other sources and providing recommendations to the department, hospitals, other health care providers, and the public concerning but not limited to:
     (a) appropriate methodologies to be implemented for hearing screening of newborn infants that must be objective and physiologically based;
     (b) the number of births sufficient to qualify a hospital or health care facility for exemption from screening and procedures to inform persons how to arrange for hearing screening outside of the hospital or health care facility; and
     (c) guidelines for reporting and the means to ensure that identified newborn infants receive referral and appropriate audiologic assessment, evaluation, and followup services.
     (2) The task force may consist of at least 7 and not more than 12 members who must be appointed by the department director and must include the coordinator of part C services pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. 1437, and a representative of a parenting organization. Members appointed to the task force must have training, experience, or interest in the area of hearing conditions in children. The members of the task force may be compensated as provided in 2-18-501 through 2-18-503 as funds allow.

     History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 250, L. 2001.