Sec. 47.005. INFORMATION CONCERNING SCREENING RESULTS AND FOLLOW-UP CARE. (a) A birthing facility that operates a program shall simultaneously distribute to the parents of each newborn or infant who is screened:

(1) the screening results; and

(2) educational and informational materials that are standardized by the department regarding:

(A) follow-up care; and

(B) available public resources, including:

(i) early childhood intervention services developed under Chapter 73, Human Resources Code;

(ii) the primary statewide resource center established under Section 30.051, Education Code; and

(iii) contact information for Texas Early Hearing Detection and Intervention.

(a-1) The department shall make available to the public on request the educational and informational materials described by Subsection (a)(2).

(b) A birthing facility that operates a program shall report screening results to:

(1) the parents;

(2) the newborn's or infant's attending physician, primary care physician, or other applicable health care provider;

(3) the department; and

(4) the primary statewide resource center established under Section 30.051, Education Code.

(c) Appropriate and necessary care for the infant who needs follow-up care should be directed and coordinated by the infant's physician or health care provider, with support from appropriate ancillary services.

(d) The department may coordinate the diagnostic audiological evaluation required under Section 47.0031(b)(2). A diagnostic audiological evaluation must be completed on the newborn or infant:

(1) not later than the third month after the newborn's or infant's birth unless the newborn or infant has been hospitalized since birth; or

(2) upon referral by the newborn's or infant's primary care physician or other applicable health care provider.

(e) An audiologist who performs a diagnostic audiological evaluation under this chapter shall report the results of the evaluation to:

(1) the parents;

(2) the newborn's or infant's primary care physician or other applicable health care provider; and

(3) the department under Section 47.007(b).

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1347, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Amended by:

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1273 (H.B. 411), Sec. 9, eff. June 17, 2011.

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 98 (H.B. 2255), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2019.