§ 16-21-14 - Hearing, speech, and vision screenings – Records – Statewide hearing screening program. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 16-21-14

   § 16-21-14  Hearing, speech, and visionscreenings – Records – Statewide hearing screening program. –(a) The program shall provide for screenings of the hearing, speech, and visionof all children in these schools, and the preservation of records of thescreenings of the children and notification of the parent or guardian of anychild where there is an identified or suspected special health care need.

   (b) Upon initial entry, all school children shall be given ahearing screening test by a properly trained professional employed by thedepartment of elementary and secondary education, at intervals consistent withregulations promulgated by the director of health and the commissioner ofelementary and secondary education.

   (c) Pupils who failed the hearing screening test in previousyears, repeat a grade, have a history of hearing difficulty or pathology, orare suspected by school personnel of a hearing loss shall be screened as oftenas is necessary.

   (d) The program shall be known as the statewide hearingscreening program. It shall be operated by the department of elementary andsecondary education.

   (e) The department is authorized and directed to maintain theprogram and provide equipment that may be necessary to implement the purposesof this section.

   (f) Upon request from a local education agency thecommissioner of elementary and secondary education may grant the localeducation agency permission to conduct its own hearing screening program afterhe or she first determines that the agency has a capacity to adhere to thescreening schedule as outlined in this section and that properly trainedprofessionals defined in regulation will be performing the activities.

   (g) Tests shall not be required of any student whose parentor guardian objects on the ground that the tests conflict with their religiousbeliefs.