Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding hearing loss screening.

LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO Sixty-eighth Legislature Second Regular Session - 2026 IN THE SENATE SENATE BILL NO. 1294 BY HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE AN ACT1 RELATING TO HEARING LOSS SCREENING; AMENDING CHAPTER 9, TITLE 39, IDAHO2 CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 39-905A, IDAHO CODE, TO ESTABLISH3 PROVISIONS REGARDING HEARING LOSS SCREENING; AND DECLARING AN EMER-4 GENCY AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.5

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:6

SECTION 1. That Chapter 9, Title 39, Idaho Code, be, and the same is7 hereby amended by the addition thereto of a NEW SECTION, to be known and des-8 ignated as Section 39-905A, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:9 39-905A. HEARING LOSS SCREENING. (1) In addition to other tests re-10 quired by this chapter, all infants and newborns shall be screened for11 hearing loss prior to discharge from a hospital, health care facility, or12 birthing facility. For births occurring outside of a hospital, health care13 facility, or birthing facility, the birthing attendant shall ensure that the14 infant or newborn is screened for hearing loss no later than twenty-one (21)15 days from the date of birth.16 (2) The hearing loss screening required by this section shall employ17 physiologic screening methods approved by the Idaho educational services18 for the deaf and the blind (IESDB), including otoacoustic emissions or au-19 tomated auditory brainstem response.20 (3) The administering facility or provider shall report the results of21 the hearing screening to the IESDB within seven (7) days to ensure appropri-22 ate follow-up and early intervention.23 (4) All tests and screenings required by this section shall be per-24 formed in accordance with standards, schedules, and protocols established25 or approved by the IESDB. The IESDB may provide guidance or educational mate-26 rials to assist providers in carrying out the requirements of this section.27 (5) The provisions of this section are contingent on continued receipt28 of federal funding intended to support infant and newborn hearing screening29 and shall not be enforceable if the loss of such federal funding would result30 in an increased cost to the state.31

SECTION 2. An emergency existing therefor, which emergency is hereby32 declared to exist, this act shall be in full force and effect on and after33 July 1, 2026.34