The Early Identification and Monitoring Program of the Special Child Health and Early Intervention Services of the Division of Family Health Services of the Public Health Services Branch of the Department proposes to readopt N.J.A.C. 8:19, the rules governing the newborn hearing screening program, with amendments and a new rule.  The notice of proposal appears in the January 18, 2011, issue of the New Jersey Register.  In addition, an administrative correction to the notice of proposal will appear in the February 7, 2011 issue of the New Jersey Register, which will extend the closing date by which comments must be submitted to the Department to April 8, 2011.

N.J.A.C. 8:19, Newborn Hearing Screening Program, establishes the regulatory framework through which the Department fulfills its obligation to comply, and to ensure compliance, with a State statute that mandates universal newborn hearing screening of infants born in New Jersey and reporting to the Department of newborns identified as having or being at risk of developing a hearing loss.  The statute also requires the Department to collect these reports in a central registry.  The purpose of the registry is to facilitate the compilation of statistical information and the provision of follow-up counseling, intervention and education services to the parents of newborns identified in the registry.

The Department proposes amendments to maintain the chapter’s consistency with the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH), as reflected in the JCIH publication, “Year 2007 Position Statement: Principles and Guidelines for Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Programs.”  The Department also proposes to establish a new form at Appendix C, the “Lost to Hearing Follow-up Report.”

The public has until April 8, 2011, to comment on the proposal.  Persons wishing to comment on the proposal must submit their comments in writing by regular mail to Ruth Charbonneau, Director, Office of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, Office of the Commissioner, NJ Department of Health and Senior Services, P O Box 360, Trenton, NJ 08625-0360.  Written comments must be postmarked on or before April 8, 2011, which is the close of the 60-day public comment period.  The Department will not accept telefacsimiles or electronic mail messages as official comments on the notice of proposal.

# # #