Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) "Child" means a person 18 years of age or younger.
(b) "False positive rate" means the proportion of infants identified as having a significant hearing loss by the screening process who are ultimately found to not have a significant hearing loss.
(c) "False negative rate" means the proportion of infants not identified as having a significant hearing loss by the screening process who are ultimately found to have a significant hearing loss.
(d) "Hearing screening test" means automated auditory brain stem response, otoacoustic emissions, or another appropriate screening test approved by the Department of Health.
(e) "Hospital" means a birthing health care facility or birthing center licensed in this state that provides obstetrical services.
(f) "Infant" means a child who is not a newborn and has not attained the age of one year.
(g) "Newborn" means an infant 28 days of age or younger.
(h) "Parent" means a natural parent, stepparent, adoptive parent, guardian, or custodian of a newborn or infant.
Subd. 2. Newborn Hearing Screening Advisory Committee. (a) The commissioner of health shall establish a Newborn Hearing Screening Advisory Committee to advise and assist the Department of Health and the Department of Education in:
(1) developing protocols and timelines for screening, rescreening, and diagnostic audiological assessment and early medical, audiological, and educational intervention services for children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing;
(2) designing protocols for tracking children from birth through age three that may have passed newborn screening but are at risk for delayed or late onset of permanent hearing loss;
(3) designing a technical assistance program to support facilities implementing the screening program and facilities conducting rescreening and diagnostic audiological assessment;
(4) designing implementation and evaluation of a system of follow-up and tracking; and
(5) evaluating program outcomes to increase effectiveness and efficiency and ensure culturally appropriate services for children with a confirmed hearing loss and their families.
(b) The commissioner of health shall appoint at least one member from each of the following groups with no less than two of the members being deaf or hard-of-hearing:
(1) a representative from a consumer organization representing culturally deaf persons;
(2) a parent with a child with hearing loss representing a parent organization;
(3) a consumer from an organization representing oral communication options;
(4) a consumer from an organization representing cued speech communication options;
(5) an audiologist who has experience in evaluation and intervention of infants and young children;
(6) a speech-language pathologist who has experience in evaluation and intervention of infants and young children;
(7) two primary care providers who have experience in the care of infants and young children, one of which shall be a pediatrician;
(8) a representative from the early hearing detection intervention teams;
(9) a representative from the Department of Education resource center for the deaf and hard-of-hearing or the representative's designee;
(10) a representative of the Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing;
(11) a representative from the Department of Human Services Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Services Division;
(12) one or more of the Part C coordinators from the Department of Education, the Department of Health, or the Department of Human Services or the department's designees;
(13) the Department of Health early hearing detection and intervention coordinators;
(14) two birth hospital representatives from one rural and one urban hospital;
(15) a pediatric geneticist;
(16) an otolaryngologist;
(17) a representative from the Newborn Screening Advisory Committee under this subdivision;
(18) a representative of the Department of Education regional low-incidence facilitators;
(19) a representative from the deaf mentor program; and
(20) a representative of the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf from the Minnesota State Academies staff.
The commissioner must complete the initial appointments required under this subdivision by September 1, 2007, and the initial appointments under clauses (19) and (20) by September 1, 2019.
(c) The Department of Health member shall chair the first meeting of the committee. At the first meeting, the committee shall elect a chair from its membership. The committee shall meet at the call of the chair, at least four times a year. The committee shall adopt written bylaws to govern its activities. The Department of Health shall provide technical and administrative support services as required by the committee. These services shall include technical support from individuals qualified to administer infant hearing screening, rescreening, and diagnostic audiological assessments.
Members of the committee shall receive no compensation for their service, but shall be reimbursed as provided in section 15.059 for expenses incurred as a result of their duties as members of the committee.
(d) By February 15, 2015, and by February 15 of the odd-numbered years after that date, the commissioner shall report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over health and data privacy on the activities of the committee that have occurred during the past two years.
(e) This subdivision expires June 30, 2025.
Subd. 3. Early hearing detection and intervention programs. All hospitals shall establish an early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) program. Each EHDI program shall:
(1) in advance of any hearing screening testing, provide to the newborn's or infant's parents or parent information concerning the nature of the screening procedure, applicable costs of the screening procedure, the potential risks and effects of hearing loss, and the benefits of early detection and intervention;
(2) comply with parental election as described under section 144.125, subdivision 4;
(3) develop policies and procedures for screening and rescreening based on Department of Health recommendations;
(4) provide appropriate training and monitoring of individuals responsible for performing hearing screening tests as recommended by the Department of Health;
(5) test the newborn's hearing prior to discharge, or, if the newborn is expected to remain in the hospital for a prolonged period, testing shall be performed prior to three months of age or when medically feasible;
(6) develop and implement procedures for documenting the results of all hearing screening tests;
(7) inform the newborn's or infant's parents or parent; primary care physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant; and the Department of Health according to recommendations of the Department of Health of the results of the hearing screening test or rescreening if conducted, or if the newborn or infant was not successfully tested. The hospital that discharges the newborn or infant to home is responsible for the screening; and
(8) collect performance data specified by the Department of Health.
Subd. 3a. Support services to families. (a) The commissioner shall contract with a nonprofit organization to provide support and assistance to families with children who are deaf or have a hearing loss. The family support provided must include:
(1) direct hearing loss specific parent-to-parent assistance and unbiased information on communication, educational, and medical options; and
(2) individualized deaf or hard-of-hearing mentors who provide education, including instruction in American Sign Language as an available option.
The commissioner shall give preference to a nonprofit organization that has the ability to provide these services throughout the state.
(b) Family participation in the support and assistance services is voluntary.
Subd. 4. Notification and information; data retention and destruction. (a) Notification to the parents or parent, primary care provider, and the Department of Health shall occur prior to discharge or no later than ten days following the date of testing. Notification shall include information recommended by the Department of Health and information regarding the right of the parent or legal guardian to discontinue storage of the test results and require destruction under paragraph (d).
(b) A physician, nurse, midwife, or other health professional attending a birth outside a hospital or institution shall provide information, orally and in writing, as established by the Department of Health, to parents regarding places where the parents may have their infant's hearing screened and the importance of the screening.
(c) The professional conducting the diagnostic procedure to confirm the hearing loss must report the results to the parents, primary care provider, and Department of Health according to the Department of Health recommendations.
(d) The Department of Health may store hearing screening and rescreening test results for a period of time not to exceed 18 years from the infant's date of birth.
(e) Notwithstanding paragraph (d), a parent or legal guardian may instruct the Department of Health to discontinue storing hearing screening and rescreening test results by providing a signed and dated form requesting destruction of the test results. The Department of Health shall make necessary forms available on the department's website. If a parent or legal guardian instructs the Department of Health to discontinue storing hearing screening and rescreening test results, the Department of Health shall destroy the test results within one month of receipt of the instruction or within 25 months after it received the last test result, whichever is later.
Subd. 5. Oversight responsibility. The Department of Health shall exercise oversight responsibility for EHDI programs, including establishing a performance data set and reviewing performance data collected by each hospital.
Subd. 6. Civil and criminal immunity and penalties. (a) No physician, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, or hospital shall be civilly or criminally liable for failure to conduct hearing screening testing.
(b) No physician, midwife, nurse, physician assistant, other health professional, or hospital acting in compliance with this section shall be civilly or criminally liable for any acts conforming with this section, including furnishing information required according to this section.
Subd. 7. Fees. The commissioner shall charge a fee so that the total of fees collected will approximate the costs of implementing and maintaining a system to follow up on infants and provide technical assistance, a tracking system, data management, and evaluation. The fee shall be incorporated in the fee charged under section 144.125.
Subd. 8. Construction. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, nothing in this section shall be construed as constituting newborn screening activities conducted under sections 144.125 to 144.128. Data collected by or submitted to the Department of Health pursuant to this section is not genetic information for purposes of section 13.386.
2007 c 147 art 16 s 10; 2009 c 79 art 10 s 18; 2009 c 86 art 1 s 18; 2013 c 82 s 13-16; 2013 c 108 art 12 s 34,35; 2018 c 121 s 7; 1Sp2019 c 9 art 11 s 36; 2020 c 115 art 4 s 54,55; 2022 c 58 s 60,61
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapter 144 — Department Of Health
Section 144.011 — Department Of Health.
Section 144.05 — General Duties Of Commissioner; Reports.
Section 144.0505 — Cooperation With Commissioner Of Human Services.
Section 144.051 — Data Relating To Licensed And Registered Persons.
Section 144.052 — Use Of Data.
Section 144.0525 — Epidemiologic Studies; Health Hazards; Health Surveillance.
Section 144.053 — Research Studies Confidential.
Section 144.0535 — Entry For Inspection.
Section 144.054 — Subpoena Power.
Section 144.055 — Home Safety Programs.
Section 144.056 — Plain Language In Written Materials.
Section 144.057 — Background Studies On Licensees And Other Personnel.
Section 144.058 — Interpreter Services Quality Initiative.
Section 144.059 — Palliative Care Advisory Council.
Section 144.06 — State Commissioner Of Health To Provide Instruction.
Section 144.061 — Early Dental Prevention Initiative.
Section 144.062 — Vaccine Cost Reduction Program.
Section 144.064 — The Vivian Act.
Section 144.065 — Prevention And Treatment Of Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Section 144.07 — Powers Of Commissioner.
Section 144.0721 — Assessments Of Care And Services To Nursing Home Residents.
Section 144.0724 — Resident Reimbursement Classification.
Section 144.074 — Funds Received From Other Sources.
Section 144.0742 — Contracts For Provision Of Public Health Services.
Section 144.0751 — Health Standards.
Section 144.077 — Mobile Health Care Providers.
Section 144.09 — Cooperation With Federal Authorities.
Section 144.092 — Coordinated Nutrition Data Collection.
Section 144.10 — Federal Aid For Maternal And Child Welfare Services.
Section 144.111 — Rules, Notice Published.
Section 144.12 — Regulation, Enforcement, Licenses, Fees.
Section 144.1201 — Definitions.
Section 144.1202 — United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Agreement.
Section 144.1203 — Training; Rulemaking.
Section 144.1204 — Surety Requirements.
Section 144.1205 — Radioactive Material; Special Nuclear Material.
Section 144.121 — X-ray Machines; Other Sources Of Ionizing Radiation.
Section 144.1212 — Notice To Patient; Mammogram Results.
Section 144.1215 — Authorization To Use Handheld Dental X-ray Equipment.
Section 144.122 — License, Permit, And Survey Fees.
Section 144.1222 — Public Pools; Enclosed Sports Arenas.
Section 144.1225 — Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Services.
Section 144.123 — Fees For Diagnostic Laboratory Services; Exceptions.
Section 144.125 — Tests Of Infants For Heritable And Congenital Disorders.
Section 144.1251 — Newborn Screening For Critical Congenital Heart Disease (cchd).
Section 144.1255 — Heritable And Congenital Disorders.
Section 144.128 — Commissioner's Duties.
Section 144.14 — Quarantine Of Interstate Carriers.
Section 144.145 — Fluoridation Of Municipal Water Supplies.
Section 144.1461 — Dignity In Pregnancy And Childbirth.
Section 144.1464 — Summer Health Care Interns.
Section 144.1465 — Finding And Purpose.
Section 144.147 — Rural Hospital Planning And Transition Grant Program.
Section 144.1476 — Rural Pharmacy Planning And Transition Grant Program.
Section 144.148 — Rural Hospital Capital Improvement Grant Program.
Section 144.1481 — Rural Health Advisory Committee.
Section 144.1482 — Office Of Rural Health.
Section 144.1483 — Rural Health Initiatives.
Section 144.1485 — Database On Health Personnel.
Section 144.1492 — State Rural Health Network Reform Initiative.
Section 144.1493 — Nursing Grant Program.
Section 144.1501 — Health Professional Education Loan Forgiveness Program.
Section 144.1505 — Health Professionals Clinical Training Expansion Grant Program.
Section 144.1506 — Primary Care Residency Expansion Grant Program.
Section 144.1911 — International Medical Graduates Assistance Program.
Section 144.1912 — Greater Minnesota Family Medicine Residency Grant Program.
Section 144.193 — Inventory Of Biological And Health Data.
Section 144.212 — Definitions.
Section 144.213 — Office Of Vital Records.
Section 144.2131 — Security Of Vital Records System.
Section 144.215 — Birth Registration.
Section 144.2151 — Record Of Birth Resulting In Stillbirth.
Section 144.216 — Foundling Registration.
Section 144.217 — Delayed Records Of Birth.
Section 144.218 — Replacement Birth Records.
Section 144.2181 — Amendment And Correction Of Vital Records.
Section 144.221 — Death Registration.
Section 144.2215 — Minnesota Birth Defects Information System.
Section 144.2216 — Birth Defects Records And Reports Required.
Section 144.2217 — Classification Of Birth Defects Information.
Section 144.2218 — Transfers Of Information To Other Government Agencies.
Section 144.2219 — Transfers Of Information To Research Entities.
Section 144.222 — Reports Of Fetal Or Infant Death.
Section 144.223 — Report Of Marriage.
Section 144.225 — Disclosure Of Information From Vital Records.
Section 144.2252 — Access To Original Birth Record After Adoption.
Section 144.2255 — Certified Birth Record For Homeless Youth.
Section 144.29 — Health Records; Children Of School Age.
Section 144.291 — Minnesota Health Records Act.
Section 144.292 — Patient Rights.
Section 144.293 — Release Or Disclosure Of Health Records.
Section 144.294 — Records Relating To Mental Health.
Section 144.295 — Disclosure Of Health Records For External Research.
Section 144.296 — Copies Of Videotapes.
Section 144.297 — Independent Medical Examination.
Section 144.30 — Copies Of Records Evidence In Juvenile Court.
Section 144.32 — False Statements Cause For Discharge.
Section 144.334 — Right To Request Patient Information.
Section 144.3345 — Interconnected Electronic Health Record Grants.
Section 144.3351 — Immunization Data.
Section 144.3352 — Hepatitis B Maternal Carrier Data; Infant Immunization.
Section 144.336 — Registry Of Persons Typed For Human Leukocyte Antigens.
Section 144.34 — Investigation And Control Of Occupational Diseases.
Section 144.341 — Living Apart From Parents And Managing Financial Affairs.
Section 144.342 — Marriage Or Giving Birth, Consent For Health Service For Self Or Child.
Section 144.343 — Pregnancy, Venereal Disease, Alcohol Or Drug Abuse, Abortion.
Section 144.344 — Emergency Treatment.
Section 144.3441 — Hepatitis B Vaccination.
Section 144.345 — Representations To Persons Rendering Service.
Section 144.346 — Information To Parents.
Section 144.347 — Financial Responsibility.
Section 144.35 — Pollution Of Water.
Section 144.36 — Appeal To District Court.
Section 144.37 — Other Remedies Preserved.
Section 144.382 — Definitions.
Section 144.383 — Authority Of Commissioner.
Section 144.384 — Notice Of Violation.
Section 144.385 — Public Notice.
Section 144.3855 — Limitation.
Section 144.3872 — Female Genital Mutilation; Education And Outreach.
Section 144.391 — Public Policy.
Section 144.392 — Duties Of Commissioner.
Section 144.393 — Public Communications Program.
Section 144.394 — Health Promotion And Education.
Section 144.396 — Tobacco Use Prevention.
Section 144.397 — Statewide Tobacco Cessation Services.
Section 144.412 — Public Policy.
Section 144.413 — Definitions.
Section 144.414 — Prohibitions.
Section 144.416 — Responsibilities Of Proprietors.
Section 144.4165 — Tobacco Products Prohibited In Public Schools.
Section 144.4167 — Permitted Smoking.
Section 144.417 — Commissioner Of Health, Enforcement, Penalties.
Section 144.4172 — Definitions.
Section 144.4173 — Cause Of Action.
Section 144.4176 — Petition; Notice.
Section 144.4177 — Time Of Hearing And Duties Of Counsel.
Section 144.4178 — Criminal Immunity.
Section 144.4179 — Standard Of Proof; Evidence.
Section 144.4182 — Temporary Emergency Hold.
Section 144.4183 — Emergency Hold Hearing.
Section 144.4184 — Contact Data.
Section 144.4186 — Data Privacy.
Section 144.419 — Isolation And Quarantine Of Persons.
Section 144.4195 — Due Process For Isolation Or Quarantine Of Persons.
Section 144.4196 — Employee Protection.
Section 144.4197 — Emergency Vaccine Administration; Legend Drug.
Section 144.4198 — Mass Dispensing Under Authority Of Commissioner Of Health.
Section 144.4199 — Public Health Response Contingency Account.
Section 144.441 — Tuberculosis Screening In Schools.
Section 144.442 — Testing In School Clinics.
Section 144.445 — Tuberculosis Screening In Correctional Institutions.
Section 144.4803 — Definitions.
Section 144.4804 — Reporting Relating To Tuberculosis.
Section 144.4805 — Health Order; Rights Of Carrier And Respondent.
Section 144.4806 — Preventive Measures Under Health Order.
Section 144.4807 — Notice Of Obligation To Isolate Or Examine.
Section 144.4808 — Apprehend And Hold Order.
Section 144.4809 — Preliminary Hearing.
Section 144.4810 — Final Hearing.
Section 144.4811 — Periodic Review And Release From Detention.
Section 144.4812 — Costs Of Care.
Section 144.4813 — Data Privacy.
Section 144.49 — Violations; Penalties.
Section 144.492 — Definitions.
Section 144.494 — Designating Stroke Centers And Stroke Hospitals.
Section 144.4941 — St Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (stemi) Receiving Centers.
Section 144.495 — Formaldehyde Rules.
Section 144.496 — Minnesota Radon Awareness Act.
Section 144.4961 — Minnesota Radon Licensing Act.
Section 144.497 — St Elevation Myocardial Infarction.
Section 144.50 — Hospitals, Licenses; Definitions.
Section 144.51 — License Applications.
Section 144.55 — Licenses; Issuance, Suspension And Revocation.
Section 144.5509 — Radiation Therapy Facility Construction.
Section 144.551 — Hospital Construction Moratorium.
Section 144.552 — Public Interest Review.
Section 144.553 — Alternative Approval Process.
Section 144.554 — Health Facilities Construction Plan Submittal And Fees.
Section 144.561 — Description Of Certain Medical Facilities.
Section 144.562 — Swing Bed Approval; Issuance Of License Conditions.
Section 144.563 — Nursing Services Provided In A Hospital; Prohibited Practices.
Section 144.564 — Monitoring Of Subacute Or Transitional Care Services.
Section 144.565 — Diagnostic Imaging Facilities.
Section 144.566 — Violence Against Health Care Workers.
Section 144.572 — Institutions Excepted.
Section 144.573 — Pets In Certain Institutions.
Section 144.574 — Dangers Of Shaking Infants And Young Children.
Section 144.58 — Information, Confidential.
Section 144.581 — Hospital Authorities.
Section 144.585 — Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Control Programs.
Section 144.586 — Requirements For Certain Notices And Discharge Planning.
Section 144.591 — Disclosure Of Hospital Charges.
Section 144.602 — Definitions.
Section 144.603 — Statewide Trauma System Criteria.
Section 144.604 — Trauma Triage And Transportation.
Section 144.605 — Designating Trauma Hospitals.
Section 144.606 — Interhospital Transfers.
Section 144.6062 — Comprehensive Advanced Life Support.
Section 144.6071 — Trauma Registry.
Section 144.608 — Trauma Advisory Council.
Section 144.611 — Captioning Required.
Section 144.615 — Birth Centers.
Section 144.6501 — Nursing Home Admission Contracts.
Section 144.6502 — Electronic Monitoring In Certain Facilities.
Section 144.6503 — Facilities For Alzheimer's Disease Or Related Disorder.
Section 144.6505 — Subacute Care Waivers.
Section 144.651 — Health Care Bill Of Rights.
Section 144.6512 — Retaliation In Nursing Homes Prohibited.
Section 144.652 — Bill Of Rights Notice To Patient Or Resident; Violation.
Section 144.6521 — Disclosure Of Financial Interest.
Section 144.6522 — Designation Of A Caregiver.
Section 144.653 — Rules; Periodic Inspections; Enforcement.
Section 144.6535 — Variance Or Waiver.
Section 144.654 — Experts May Be Employed.
Section 144.655 — Program For Voluntary Medical Aid.
Section 144.656 — Employees To Be Compensated.
Section 144.657 — Volunteer Efforts Encouraged.
Section 144.658 — Epidemiologic Data Discovery.
Section 144.6581 — Determination Of Whether Data Identifies Individuals.
Section 144.6585 — Identification Of Health Care Providers.
Section 144.6586 — Notice Of Rights To Sexual Assault Victim.
Section 144.661 — Definitions.
Section 144.662 — Traumatic Brain Injury And Spinal Cord Injury Registry.
Section 144.663 — Duty To Report.
Section 144.664 — Duties Of Commissioner.
Section 144.665 — Traumatic Brain Injury And Spinal Cord Injury Data.
Section 144.671 — Cancer Surveillance System; Purpose.
Section 144.672 — Duties Of Commissioner; Rules.
Section 144.68 — Records And Reports Required.
Section 144.69 — Classification Of Data On Individuals.
Section 144.691 — Grievance Procedures.
Section 144.696 — Definitions.
Section 144.697 — General Powers And Duties Of State Commissioner Of Health.
Section 144.698 — Reporting Requirements.
Section 144.699 — Continuing Analysis.
Section 144.70 — Biennial Report.
Section 144.701 — Rate Disclosure.
Section 144.702 — Hospital And Outpatient Surgical Center Costs.
Section 144.7022 — Reporting Organizations; Penalty Orders.
Section 144.703 — Additional Powers.
Section 144.7055 — Staffing Plan Reports.
Section 144.7063 — Definitions.
Section 144.7065 — Facility Requirements To Report, Analyze, And Correct.
Section 144.7067 — Commissioner Duties And Responsibilities.
Section 144.7068 — Reports From Licensing Boards.
Section 144.7069 — Interstate Coordination; Reports.
Section 144.71 — Purpose; Definitions.
Section 144.73 — State Commissioner Of Health, Duties.
Section 144.74 — Rules, Standards.
Section 144.7401 — Definitions.
Section 144.7402 — Conditions For Applicability Of Procedures.
Section 144.7403 — Information Required To Be Given To Individuals.
Section 144.7404 — Disclosure Of Positive Blood-borne Pathogen Test Results.
Section 144.7405 — Consent Procedures Generally.
Section 144.7406 — Testing Of Available Blood.
Section 144.7407 — Blood Sample Collection For Testing.
Section 144.7408 — No Discrimination.
Section 144.7409 — Use Of Test Results.
Section 144.7411 — Test Information Confidentiality.
Section 144.7412 — Penalty For Unauthorized Release Of Information.
Section 144.7413 — Responsibility For Testing And Treatment; Costs.
Section 144.7414 — Protocols For Exposure To Blood-borne Pathogens.
Section 144.7415 — Penalties And Immunity.
Section 144.84 — Civil Service Classification.
Section 144.91 — Powers And Duties.
Section 144.92 — Grants Or Gifts.
Section 144.945 — Zika Preparedness And Response.
Section 144.95 — Mosquito Research Program.
Section 144.9501 — Definitions.
Section 144.9502 — Statewide Lead Surveillance System.
Section 144.9503 — Primary Prevention.
Section 144.9504 — Secondary Prevention.
Section 144.9505 — Credentialing Of Lead Firms And Professionals.
Section 144.9507 — Lead-related Funding.
Section 144.9509 — Enforcement.
Section 144.9512 — Lead Abatement Program.
Section 144.9513 — Healthy Housing Grants.
Section 144.966 — Early Hearing Detection And Intervention Program.
Section 144.98 — Accreditation Of Environmental Laboratories.
Section 144.989 — Title; Citation.
Section 144.991 — Administrative Penalty Order Procedure.
Section 144.992 — False Information.
Section 144.993 — Recovery Of Litigation Costs And Expenses.
Section 144.995 — Definitions; Environmental Health Tracking And Biomonitoring.
Section 144.996 — Environmental Health Tracking; Biomonitoring.
Section 144.997 — Biomonitoring Pilot Program.
Section 144.998 — Environmental Health Tracking And Biomonitoring Advisory Panel.