The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Brandi Cannon.
DIGEST
SB 24 Engrossed 2023 Regular Session Pope
Present law establishes the La. Board for Hearing Aid Dealers (board) within the La. Department of
Health and provides that the board is composed of nine members. Present law further provides that
seven members shall be hearing aid dealers and the eighth is the state health officer or his
representative.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that the ninth member shall be 60 years of age or over and shall serve as a
representative of the elderly consumers of Louisiana.
Proposed law lowers the required minimum age to 50 years of age and provides that the member
shall serve as a representative of hearing aid consumers in Louisiana.
Present law requires any person who owns, maintains, or operates an office or place of business in
which the person employs or engages under contract a person who practices the selling and fitting
of hearing aids to be licensed by the board. Present law further requires each partner of a partnership
engaging in the practice of selling and fitting of hearing aids or the chief executive officer of a
corporation or legal entity engaging in the practice of selling and fitting of hearing aids to be
licensed.
Proposed law repeals present law.
Present law requires all businesses regulated by the board to annually file the following:
(1)A list of all licensed hearing aid dealers directly or indirectly employed by the business.
(2)A statement on a form approved by the board that the business submits itself to the rules and
regulations of the board and the provisions of present law.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law further requires a business to register with the board its intention to engage in the selling
and fitting of hearing aids or accessories prior to the business selling or offering for sale hearing aids
or accessories.
Proposed law retains present law but makes technical changes.
Present law authorizes the board to revoke the registration of an organization for committing any of the acts listed as causes for revocation or suspension in present law.
Proposed law retains present law but makes technical changes.
Effective August 1, 2023.
(Amends R.S. 37:2455(B)(1) and 2455(B)(5)(a)(intro para) and (5)(b) and 2465)