BILL NUMBER: AB 2072	AMENDED
	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.