2011 Oregon Revised Statutes
ORS Volume 11, Chapters 431 - 470
ORS Chapter 433
433.321 Hearing screening tests for newborns; disclosure of information; exemptions.


OR Rev Stat § 433.321 (through Leg Sess 2011) What's This?

(1) In all Oregon hospitals and birthing centers with more than 200 live births per year, each newborn child shall receive a newborn hearing screening test within one month of the date of birth. A hospital or birthing center shall attempt to conduct the test required under this subsection prior to the discharge of the child from the facility.

(2) All Oregon hospitals and birthing centers with fewer than 200 live births per year shall provide the parent or guardian of a newborn child with the appropriate information furnished by the Oregon Health Authority concerning the importance of newborn hearing screening tests.

(3) All Oregon hospitals and birthing centers conducting newborn hearing screening tests shall, within 10 days of the test:

(a) Notify the parent or guardian and the health care provider for the newborn child of the test results;

(b) With the results of the test, provide names and contact information for diagnostic facilities in the community; and

(c) Report to the authority the results of the test for the newborn child and information identifying the newborn child.

(4) A diagnostic facility conducting newborn hearing tests shall report, within 10 days of the test, to the authority the results of the test for the newborn child and information identifying the newborn child.

(5) Each public and private educational institution that provides early intervention services as defined in ORS 343.035 shall disclose to the authority information identifying the children referred to the educational institution with diagnosed hearing loss and the enrollment status of the children. The institution may disclose to the authority additional information regarding children with hearing loss who are receiving early intervention services if the educational institution has obtained consent to disclose the information.

(6) The authority, in collaboration with the Child Development and Rehabilitation Center of the Oregon Health and Science University shall, on an annual basis, provide to all Oregon hospitals and birthing centers the following information:

(a) A description of the responsibilities created by this section;

(b) A list of appropriate screening devices and descriptions of training protocols to ensure that staff members are adequately trained in the use of screening equipment;

(c) A list of newborn hearing screening testing and diagnostic facilities;

(d) A list of public and private educational institutions that provide early intervention services and a description of the geographic area served by each institution; and

(e) Other information related to newborn hearing screening tests that the authority deems appropriate.

(7) A hospital or birthing center directed to provide newborn hearing screening tests under this section is exempt from providing such services if the parent or guardian of the newborn child objects to the testing procedure on the grounds that the procedure conflicts with the religious tenets and practices of the parent or guardian. The parent or guardian must sign a statement that the newborn infant is being so reared.

(8) No newborn child may be refused the procedure described in subsection (1) of this section because of an inability of the parent or guardian to pay for the procedure. [1999 c.958 1; 2003 c.240 1; 2009 c.595 660]

Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. Oregon may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.