Committee backs measures to strengthen newborn hearing screening and reduce loss to follow‑up

The Senate Health and Welfare committee reported SB 4‑51 after hearing from the EHDI advisory council and deaf‑community representatives about changes to Louisiana’s newborn hearing screening law.

Dr. Ashley R. Graves Smith, chair of the EHDI advisory council, told senators the bill modernizes statutory language, requires reporting by audiologists to improve follow‑up, expands family‑to‑family supports and adds lived‑experience membership to the advisory council. "The data tracking includes rescreening, diagnosis, and intervention, and with the addition of requiring reporting by audiologist, the Louisiana will be better equipped to ensure that no child is lost to follow‑up, which currently in 2024 is almost 9 percent," she said.

Natalie Delgado (vice chair of the council and leader in deaf education) and Jay Ish (assistant director for deaf services) also testified in support, describing language deprivation risks and urging stronger family connections and earlier intervention. Committee members expressed support; Senator Kleinpeter moved favorable reporting and there were no objections.

What happens next: The committee-reported bill will move to the full Senate; supporters said the measure is intended to improve early identification and timely intervention so deaf and hard‑of‑hearing children do not experience preventable language delays.