Certification of Screening Programs

Sec. 47.004. CERTIFICATION OF SCREENING PROGRAMS. (a) The executive commissioner shall establish certification criteria for implementing a program. (b) In order to be certified, the program must: (1) provide hearing screening using equipment recommended by the department; (2) use appropriate staff to provide the screening; (3) maintain and report data electronically as required by department rule; (4) distribute family, health care provider, and physician educational materials standardized by the department; (5) provide information, as recommended by the department, to the parents on follow-up services for newborns and infants who do not pass the screening; and (6) be supervised by: (A) a physician; (B) an audiologist; (C) a registered nurse; or (D) a physician assistant. (c) The department may certify a program that meets and maintains the certification criteria. (d) The department may renew the certification of a program on a periodic basis as established by department rule in order to ensure quality services to newborns, infants, and families. (e) A fee may not be charged to certify or recertify a program. Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1347, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1273 (H.B. 411), Sec. 8, eff. June 17, 2011. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.0171, eff. April 2, 2015.