(a) The Secretary may contract with any qualified person to administer the Program.
(b) The Secretary shall:
(1) Develop a system to gather and maintain data;
(2) Develop methods to:
(i) Contact parents or guardians of newborns and their identified primary care providers regarding the results of the newborn hearing screening;
(ii) Contact parents or guardians of newborns and infants who have, or are at risk for developing, a permanent hearing status that affects speech–language skills; and
(iii) Ensure families are referred to appropriate services;
(3) Establish a toll–free telephone line to communicate information about hearing status that affects speech–language skills and services for infants who have, or are at risk for developing, a permanent hearing status that affects speech–language skills;
(4) Appoint an Advisory Council for the Program;
(5) Meet annually with the Advisory Council; and
(6) In consultation with the Advisory Council, adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement the Program.
Structure Maryland Statutes
Title 13 - Miscellaneous Health Care Programs
Subtitle 6 - Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program
Section 13-602 - Establishment of Program
Section 13-603 - Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Advisory Council
Section 13-604 - Powers and Duties of Secretary
Section 13-605 - Results of Hearing Screening of Newborns to Be Included in Birth Event Information