STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2905

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 2900

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2900 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NEWBORN HEARING SCREENING,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Mandate reporting of diagnostic audiologic evaluation results to improve hearing follow-up of infants; and

 

     (2)  Update definitions and terminology related to newborn hearing screening.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health and Executive Office on Early Learning.

 

     Your Committee finds that the State's public health screening program helps deaf or hard of hearing children reach their developmental milestones and be language-ready for school.  However, the Department of Health Newborn Hearing Screening Program does not receive diagnostic audiologic evaluation results for all newborns who do not pass newborn hearing screening.  This measure ensures consistent reporting of diagnostic audiologic evaluation results for all infants who do not pass hearing screening and facilitates the appropriate follow-up and support through early intervention services.

 

     Your Committee notes that this measure will address the missing diagnostic audiologic evaluation results that cause great delay in delivering early intervention services for infants who are deaf or hard of hearing.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2900, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2900, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

 

 

 

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair