AN ACT relating to hearing screening tests for infants.
     Create a new section of KRS 211 to establish an Infant Hearing Screening Program within the Cabinet for Human Resources; require a hearing screening test to be offered to all infants before being discharged from any birthing hospital; require notification of parents and physicians of test results; direct submission of protocol at the onset, following 1 full year, prior to changes, and at specified intervals for administering hearing tests; require that health insurers, except supplemental policies, pay for test; require follow-up diagnosis be offered at approved center where indicated; require the Commonwealth to cover costs of follow-up diagnosis where not covered by health insurance; require cabinet to publicly distribute educational materials on the availability of treatment for hard-of hearing infants; require appropriate programs to offer early intervention where applicable; create an Infant Hearing Screening Advisory Panel to make recommendations to the cabinet; establish the guidelines for the advisory panel; direct that references to the cabinet to be codified as the Cabinet for Health Services if the reorganization of the Cabinet for Human Resources is confirmed by this 1998 regular session.

     Feb 2-introduced in House
     Feb 3-to Health and Welfare (H)
     Feb 11-posted in committee
     Feb 27-reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute
     Mar 2-2nd reading, to Rules
     Mar 3-recommitted to Appropriations and Revenue (H)