HB 2188 Oklahoma House · 2025 Regular Session

Schools; hearing screening; notification; State Board of Health; rules; statewide registry; hearing examination; written report; school districts; State Board of Education; annual report; effective date.

HB 2188 requires Oklahoma public schools to conduct standardized hearing screenings for students in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, first, second, third, fifth, seventh, and eleventh grades (or equivalent age groups) using specific equipment and methods. It mandates screenings by approved providers listed on a statewide registry, with results documented in written reports for school districts and parents. Exemptions apply if students provide recent hearing test certifications from licensed audiologists within six months. The bill establishes clear protocols for screening frequency, equipment standards (e.g., pure tone audiometers), and parent notification when follow-up exams are needed.

Issues: ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 3, 2025 Last action Feb 5, 2025

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Proposed Policy Committee Substitute 1 · 9 edits

MAJOR

This bill amendment replaces the original text with a new version that updates definitions, equipment requirements, and screening procedures for hearing screenings in Oklahoma schools. The changes clarify terminology, modernize equipment specifications, and adjust administrative requirements for hearing screening providers and exemptions.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on mandatory hearing screenings for students in specific grade levels, but the amendment updates the technical definitions and requirements to reflect current standards and practices.

DEFINITION

Updated definition of 'Commissioner' from 'State Commissioner of Health of the State of Oklahoma' to simply 'State Commissioner of Health' for clarity.

Changed 'Draining ear' definition from 'postulant drainage' to 'pustulant drainage' to correct the medical terminology.

Changed 'Hearing screening registry' from 'is a system' to 'means a system' for proper legal definition formatting.

Updated 'Hearing screening trainer' definition to clarify they must be approved as a hearing screening provider to provide training.

Changed 'Infant and Children's Health Advisory Council' definition from 'means the advisory council' to 'means the advisory council' for consistency.

Updated 'Middle ear pathology' definition to remove 'outer ear obstructions by a foreign object' from the list of conditions.

REQUIREMENT

Added new equipment specification (item d) allowing tablet computers with validated software and high-resolution headphones as an alternative to traditional audiometers and tympanometers.

Updated equipment requirements to mandate compliance with ANSI/ASA 53.6-2018 standards or manufacturer recommendations on an annual basis.

Changed timing reference in Section 2 from paragraphs 1, 3, and 4 of subsection G to paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 of subsection G.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 5, 2025

Committee

Referred to Public Health

lower

Feb 5, 2025

Committee

Referred to Health and Human Services Oversight

lower

Feb 3, 2025

Introduced

First Reading

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors