§8824. Tracking system

The department is authorized to implement a tracking system that provides the information necessary to effectively plan, establish and evaluate a comprehensive system of developmentally appropriate services for newborn infants and children up to 3 years of age who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and to ensure that all families are given information regarding the availability of hearing screening for their infants. The services must be designed to reduce the likelihood of associated disabling conditions for these children. The tracking system may be integrated with any national database or similar system developed by the Federal Government or with any regional database or with both.   [PL 2007, c. 508, §2 (AMD).]

1.  Mandatory reporting.  Once the tracking system is operating, all hospitals licensed in the State and other providers of services that have established hearing screening or diagnostic procedures for newborn infants and children up to 3 years of age shall report to the department all data on hearing screening, evaluation and diagnoses of newborn infants and children up to 3 years of age. Reports that are required under this subsection must be submitted at least monthly.

[PL 2007, c. 236, §2 (AMD).]

1-A.  Referral to Child Development Services System.  The department shall adopt rules according to which it shall in a timely fashion refer children identified in subsection 1 as having a high likelihood of having a hearing impairment to the Child Development Services System. The rules must also describe the timetables under which the department shall refer to the Child Development Services System children identified by the department in accordance with subsection 1 as having possible hearing impairment but for whom hearing impairment has been neither confirmed nor disconfirmed by 6 months of age. The Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services shall execute an interagency agreement to facilitate the referrals in this subsection. In accordance with the interagency agreement, the Department of Education shall offer a single point of contact for the Department of Health and Human Services to use in making referrals. Also in accordance with the interagency agreement, the Child Development Services System may make direct contact with the families who are referred. The referrals may take place electronically. For purposes of quality assurance and improvement, the Child Development Services System shall supply to the Department of Health and Human Services aggregate data at least annually on the number of children referred under this subsection who are found eligible for early intervention services and on the number of children found not eligible for early intervention services.

[PL 2007, c. 695, Pt. A, §28 (AMD).]

2.  Use of information.  Information collected in the tracking system is confidential health care information subject to section 1711-C. Parents must be provided information on the availability of resources and services for children with hearing loss, including those provided in accordance with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and departmental policy.

[PL 1999, c. 647, §2 (NEW).]

3.  Immunity.  Persons reporting information in good faith in compliance with this chapter are immune from civil liability.

[PL 1999, c. 647, §2 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1999, c. 647, §2 (NEW). PL 2007, c. 236, §§1, 2 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 450, Pt. A, §8 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 508, §2 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 695, Pt. A, §28 (AMD).