California Assembly Bill AB2072 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: AB 2072AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 5, 2010 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Mendoza FEBRUARY 18, 2010 An act to  amend Section 124119.5 of   add Section 124121 to  the Health and Safety Code, relating to public health. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2072, as amended, Mendoza. Hearing screening: resources and services. Existing law, the Newborn and Infant Hearing Screening, Tracking, and Intervention Act, requires every general acute care hospital with licensed perinatal services to offer every newborn a hearing screening test for the identification of hearing loss, as specified, and provide written information on the availability of community resources and services for children with hearing loss to the parents of those who are diagnosed with a hearing loss. Existing law, the California Early Start Intervention Services Act, commonly known as the Early Start program, provides various early intervention services for infants and toddlers who have disabilities to enhance their development and to minimize the potential for developmental delays. This bill would  , instead provide   also require  that  the   parents of a newborn or infant diagnosed with a hearing loss receive  written information  shall be on   on  all communication  ,  options for children with hearing loss  , and that the information shall be provided to parents when their newborn or infant fails the hearing screening,   by an audiologist or other related professional  at a followup appointment  to diagnose   after diagnosis with  a hearing loss, and  at entry into the Early Start program   by the Early Start Program when a child enters the program and when a child is referred to the program by a state agency  . It would also specify  additional items of information to be provided pursuant to these requirements   that the state shall not incur the cost of or implement this bill  . Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  yes   no  . State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:  SECTION 1.   Section 124121 is added to the   Health and Safety Code   , to read:   124121. (a) Parents of all newborns and infants diagnosed with a hearing loss shall also be provided written information on all communication options for children with hearing loss, including, but not limited to, information about deaf and hard-of-hearing organizations, agencies and early intervention centers, and educational programs. The information shall be provided: (1) By an audiologist or other related professional at a followup appointment after diagnosis with a hearing loss. (2) By the Early Start Program, provided for pursuant to the California Early Intervention Services Act (Title 14 (commencing with Section 95000) of the Government Code) when a newborn and infant enters the program and when the newborn and infant is referred to the program by a state agency. (b) The state shall not incur any cost, nor shall the state be involved in the implementation of this section.   SECTION 1.   Section 124119.5 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 124119.5. (a) Parents of all newborns and infants shall be provided written information on all communication options for children with hearing loss, including those provided in accordance with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.), through the reporting and tracking system followup procedures and at each of the following events: (1) When a newborn or infant fails the hearing screening. (2) At a followup appointment with an audiologist to diagnose a hearing loss. (3) At entry into the Early Start program, provided for pursuant to Title 14 (commencing with Section 95000) of the Government Code. (b) Information provided pursuant to subdivision (a) shall include, but is not limited to, listings of local and statewide nonprofit deaf and hard-of-hearing organizations, agencies and early intervention centers, educational programs, parent support organizations affiliated with deafness, and programs offered through the State Department of Social Services, Office of Deaf Access, State Department of Developmental Services, and the State Department of Education.