65-1,157a. Newborn infant hearing screening; informed consent; confidentiality of information; application for and receipt of grants; rules and regulations.

65-1,157a

Chapter 65.--PUBLIC HEALTH
Article 1.--SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT, ACTIVITIES

      65-1,157a.   Newborn infant hearing screening;informed consent; confidentiality of information; application for and receiptof grants; rules and regulations.(a) This act shall be known as the newborn infant hearingscreening act.

      (b)   Every child born in the state of Kansas,within five days of birth,unless a different time period is medically indicated, shall be given ascreening examination for detection of hearing loss. Thescreeningshall be conducted in accordance with accepted medical practices and in themanner prescribed by the secretary of health and environment.

      (c)   Informed consent of parents shall be obtained and if any parent orguardian of a child objects to the mandatory examination for detection ofhearing loss the child is exempt from subsection (b) of thissection.

      (d) (1)   Any person performing any screening under this act shall provideto the secretary of health and environment such information regarding thescreening examinations conducted under this act as the secretary may require byrule and regulation.

      (2)   Information obtained by the secretary of health and environment underthis section shall be confidential and shallnot be disclosed except to notify the primary care physician and the parents orguardian of the child of the screening results.

      (e)   The secretary of health and environment may make application for andreceive grants or other moneys which may be available from the federalgovernment for newborn hearing screening and may enter into cooperativeagreements with the federal government relating to newborn hearing screening.

      (f)   The secretary of health and environment shall adopt such rules andregulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this sectionand concerning the following matters which include but are not limited tothe:

      (1)   Establishment of standards for the equipment used for any newborn infanthearing screening under this act;

      (2)   establishment of protocols to be followed in performing any newborninfant hearing screening under this act;

      (3)   establishment of standards for the qualifications and training ofpersonnel who perform any newborn infant hearing screening under this act;

      (4)   establishment of responsibilities for any medical care facility'sadministrator or other personnel necessary to carry out the newborn infanthearing screening program created under this act;and

      (5)   furnishing of reports and other information necessary for the secretaryto carry out the provisions of this act.

      History:   L. 1999, ch. 92, § 1;L. 2004, ch. 150, § 1; July 1.