STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3476

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1662

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 1662, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Mandate reporting of diagnostic audiologic evaluation results of infants who do not pass the hearing screening test to the Department of Health to improve hearing follow-up treatment and support of infants; and

(2) Update definitions and terminology related to newborn hearing screening.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health and Executive Office on Early Learning.

Your Committee finds that the State's public health screening program helps deaf or hard of hearing children reach their developmental milestones and be language-ready for school. However, the Department of Health Newborn Hearing Screening Program does not receive diagnostic audiologic evaluation results for all newborns who do not pass newborn hearing screening. This measure ensures consistent reporting of diagnostic audiologic evaluation results for all infants who do not pass hearing screening and facilitates the appropriate follow-up and support through early intervention services.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Expanding reporting requirements for diagnostic audiologic evaluation results to include infants who are diagnosed as deaf or hard of hearing up to the age of three years; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1662, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1662, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair