A. This act¹ shall be known and may be cited as the “Newborn Infant Hearing Screening Act”.

B. Every infant born in this state shall be screened for the detection of congenital or acquired hearing loss prior to discharge from the facility where the infant was born. A physician, audiologist or other qualified person shall administer such screening procedure in accordance with accepted medical practices and in the manner prescribed by the State Board of Health. If an infant requires emergency transfer to another facility for neonatal care, such screening procedure shall be administered by the receiving facility prior to discharge of the infant.

C. The State Board of Health shall promulgate rules necessary to enact the provisions of this act. The State Commissioner of Health shall develop procedures and guidelines for screening for the detection of congenital or acquired hearing loss.

D. Any durable medical equipment purchased or supplied by the State Department of Health for the purpose of being permanently or temporarily fitted for use by a specific child shall not be deemed or considered to be a “tangible asset” as that term is defined in Section 110.1 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes and, once fitted to a specific child, shall be deemed thereafter to have minimal or no value to the Department for purposes of further disposition pursuant to the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act.²