(a) General rule.--The department, as a component of the program, shall implement a reporting and early intervention referral system that links hearing screening, if necessary, with expert diagnostic services and available early intervention services. It shall be the goal of the Commonwealth to identify 100% of newborns and infants with hearing loss within 30 days of the date of birth, to provide timely diagnostic testing if indicated and to provide appropriate referral for treatment and intervention before the age of six months.

(b) Program administration.--Recognizing the importance of tracking newborns, infants and children with hearing loss for a period of time in order to render appropriate early intervention services, the department shall, in consultation with the advisory committee, provide administrative technical support to the facilities implementing the reporting and early intervention referral system pursuant to this section.

(c) Implementation.--The department, in consultation with the advisory committee, shall issue temporary guidelines by July 1, 2002, implementing a reporting and early intervention referral system for newborns, infants and children who have been recommended for further monitoring. The temporary guidelines shall expire on June 30, 2003, or upon promulgation of regulations pursuant to section 8,¹ whichever occurs first.