AN ACT CONCERNING THE BIRTH-TO-THREE PROGRAM AND YEARLY HEARING TESTS.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2015) (a) Not later than October 1, 2015, the birth-to-three program, established under section 17a-248b of the general statutes and administered by the Department of Developmental Services, shall implement a universal hearing screening program. Such hearing screenings shall be conducted annually for all children receiving services under the program.

(b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any child whose parents object to hearing screening as being in conflict with their religious tenets and practice.

(c) The Commissioner of Developmental Services may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54 of the general statutes, to implement the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.

Statement of Purpose:

To require annual hearing screenings for every child who is currently receiving services under the Department of Developmental Services birth-to-three program.

[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]