Bill Text: HI SB2901 | 2020 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Hearing And Vision Program.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2020-03-16 - This measure has been deleted from the meeting scheduled on Tuesday 03-17-20 8:30AM in conference room 329. [SB2901 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2020-SB2901-Amended.html
|
THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2901 |
|
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020 |
S.D. 2 |
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO HEARING AND VISION PROGRAM.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The
legislature finds that the early identification of
hearing and vision loss, with appropriate follow-up services, is critical for
the development of children's language and
communication skills needed for learning in school.
The legislature finds that a hearing and vision program for school children is mandated by section 321-101, Hawaii Revised Statutes, which operated from 1978 in the department of health and ended in 1995 due to budget reductions with the assumption that primary care providers would provide the hearing and vision screening. The department currently provides consultation and training on hearing and vision screening protocols and tools.
The legislature further finds that improvement
in hearing and vision screening for children is needed. Currently, hearing and vision screenings are
conducted by primary care providers and community programs. However, providers and programs vary
regarding protocols
for hearing and vision screening and follow‑up; screeners vary in their
training and skills for conducting screenings; and there is no uniform data
collection for quality improvement.
Hawaii data indicate the need to improve vision
screening. The National Survey of
Children's Health shows that the Hawaii vision screening rate of eighty-four per
cent for children ages six to eleven years ranked low at thirty-nine out of fifty
states. The Hawaii vision screening rate
of 76.4 per cent for youth ages twelve to seventeen years ranked very low at forty-nine
out of fifty states.
The Hawaii newborn hearing screening program
data show a hearing loss rate of 3.5 per one thousand infants. However, there is a need to continue hearing
screening beyond the newborn period, as national data show that the hearing
loss rate increases to about six per one thousand children by age six, due to
congenital hearing loss that was not identified at birth or late onset or progressive
hearing loss.
The purpose of this Act is to
increase the early identification of children with hearing or vision loss by establishing
consistent
protocols for hearing and vision screening and follow-up,
screener training, and data collection and
reporting.
SECTION 2. Chapter 321, part IX, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"PART IX. [SYSTEMATIC] HEARING AND VISION PROGRAM
§321-101 [Systematic hearing] Hearing and
vision program. (a) There is established a [systematic]
hearing and vision program for children to be conducted by the department of
health. The purpose of the program shall
be to[:
(1) Detect and
identify hearing and vision deficiencies in school children; and
(2) Recommend to
their parents or guardians the need for appropriate evaluation of children who
have hearing or vision deficiencies, or both, and follow-up and track completed
evaluations, including diagnostic and treatment information.] increase the early identification of hearing or vision loss
in children by establishing consistent
protocols for hearing and vision screening and follow-up, screener training, and data collection for quality improvement.
(b) The department shall set recommended
standards for:
(1) Protocol for
evidence-based hearing and vision screening, including ages or grades for
screening; screening tools, instruments, and passing and referral criteria for
screening that are based on national guidelines and best practices; and
referrals, tracking of referrals, and follow-up of children who do not pass
screening;
(2) Training,
certification, and qualifications of personnel who conduct hearing and vision
screening, other than those who are licensed health care professionals acting
within their legal scope of practice; and
(3) Data collection and reporting on hearing and vision screening, referral, and follow-up.
[(b)] (c) Within available resources, the program shall
include[:
(1) Consultation
with students, parents, and health and education personnel about treatment and
rehabilitation of hearing and vision deficiencies; and
(2) Education of
students, health and education personnel, and the general public about
preserving and caring for hearing and vision and about preventing hearing and
vision deficiencies.
(c) The departments of health and education, in
cooperation with each other, may conduct classes and lectures in hearing and
vision conservation and prevention of hearing loss and blindness for teachers,
public health nurses, and others engaged in similar work. The departments shall also cooperate with
public and private organizations and societies to educate the public in the
importance of hearing and vision conservation.] consultation with and education
of students, parents, and health and education personnel about hearing and
vision screening, treatment, and services."
SECTION 3.
Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
Hearing and Vision Program; Hearing Screening; Vision Screening
Description:
Amends the hearing and vision program statute to increase the early identification of children with hearing or vision loss by establishing consistent protocols for hearing and vision screening and follow-up, screener training, and data collection for quality improvement. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
