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Committee approves due-pass for newborn hearing-screening bill expanding referrals for out-of-hospital births
Summary
Senate Bill 12-94, as amended, would require birthing centers and out-of-hospital attendants to offer or refer newborns for hearing screening within 21 days; the Health and Welfare Committee voted 9-7 to send the bill to the floor with a due-pass recommendation.
Representative Healy, the sponsor, described Senate Bill 12-94 as extending newborn hearing screening to infants born outside hospitals and birthing centers. "What this does is extends it to newborns that are born outside of the hospital," he said, explaining the bill asks birthing centers or attendants to offer parents screening or a referral within 21 days.
Members sought clarification about whether the bill mandates screening or requires referral. Representative Kaler asked whether the language meant screening would be compulsory; Healy replied that parents may decline and that for out-of-hospital births the bill requires the attendant to ensure the infant is screened or referred to a screening facility within 21 days.
Testimony from Lisa Coleman, a parent and member of Idaho Sound Beginnings, described personal and programmatic harms from missed out-of-hospital screenings and urged the committee to support the bill. After questions and debate, Representative Wheeler moved to send the bill to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. A roll call showed 9 ayes and 7 nays; the motion passed and Representative Healy is expected to carry the bill on the floor.
