HB 1662 Summary

• Requires audiologists and physicians specialized in hearing function to report diagnostic audiologic evaluation results to the Department of Health for infants who do not pass newborn hearing screening or are diagnosed as deaf or hard of hearing up to age three years.

• Adds four new definitions to Hawaii Revised Statutes §321-361: "audiologist," "deaf or hard of hearing," "diagnostic audiologic evaluation," and "hearing screening."

• Removes outdated definitions of "hearing-impaired infant," "management," and "screening" from existing statute.

• Updates terminology throughout the newborn hearing screening program statutes to replace references to "hearing impairment" with "deaf or hard of hearing" and clarifies the program's focus on early identification and intervention.

• Effective date: July 1, 2050.