2013 Maryland Code
HEALTH - GENERAL
§ 13-603 - Advisory Council

§13-603.

(a) There is an Advisory Council for the program.

(b) (1) The Advisory Council consists of 11 members appointed by the Secretary.

(2) Of the 11 members:

(i) 1 shall be a physician with expertise in childhood hearing loss;

(ii) 3 shall be from the field of education:

1. 1 shall be from the Maryland State Department of Education;

2. 1 shall be from the Maryland School for the Deaf; and

3. 1 shall be an educator of the deaf from a local education agency;

(iii) 1 shall be from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene;

(iv) 1 shall be a mental health professional with expertise in the area of deafness;

(v) 2 shall be parents of hearing-impaired children;

(vi) 1 shall be from the Maryland Association of the Deaf;

(vii) 1 shall be an audiologist with expertise in childhood hearing loss; and

(viii) 1 shall be from the Alexander Graham Bell Association of Maryland.

(c) The Advisory Council shall elect a chairperson from among its members.

(d) The Advisory Council shall meet at least 6 times a year at the times and places that it determines.

(e) A member of the Advisory Council:

(1) May not receive compensation; but

(2) Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.

(f) The Advisory Council shall:

(1) Advise the Department on the implementation of universal hearing screening of newborns and an early identification program and follow-up of hearing-impaired infants and infants who have a risk factor of developing a hearing impairment;

(2) Provide consultation to the Department in the development of the program;

(3) Make recommendations for operation of the program;

(4) Advise the Department:

(i) In setting standards for the program;

(ii) In monitoring and reviewing the program; and

(iii) In providing quality assurance for the program;

(5) Advise the Department on the development of protocols to assist hospitals in implementing universal hearing screening of newborns;

(6) Provide consultation to the Department in the establishment of an educational program for families, professionals, and the public that can be integrated with existing State and local education agency programs; and

(7) Review any materials the Department may distribute to the public concerning hearing-impaired newborns and infants.

(g) In consultation with the Advisory Council, the Department shall develop guidelines for the operations of the Advisory Council.