(iv) 1 shall be a mental health professional with expertise in the
area of deafness;

(v) 2 shall be parents of hearing-impaired children;

(vi) 1 shall be from the Maryland Association of the Deaf; [and]

(vii) 1 shall be an audiologist WITH EXPERTISE IN CHILDHOOD
HEARING LOSS; AND

(VIII) 1 SHALL BE FROM THE ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL
ASSOCIATION OF MARYLAND.

(c) The Advisory Council shall elect a chairperson from among its members.

(d) The Advisory Council shall meet at least 6 times a year at the times and
places that it determines.

(e) A member of the Advisory Council: 

(1) May not receive compensation; but

(2) Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State
Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.

(f) The Advisory Council shall:

(1) Advise the Department on the implementation of UNIVERSAL
HEARING SCREENING OF NEWBORNS AND an early identification program and
follow-up of hearing-impaired infants and infants who have a risk factor of
developing a hearing impairment;

program;

(2) Provide consultation to the Department in the development of the

(3) Make recommendations for operation of the program;

(4) Advise the Department:

(i) In setting standards for the program;

(ii) In monitoring and reviewing the program; and

(iii) In providing quality assurance for the program;

(5) ADVISE THE DEPARTMENT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROTOCOLS
TO ASSIST HOSPITALS IN IMPLEMENTING UNIVERSAL HEARING SCREENING OF
NEWBORNS.

(6) Provide consultation to the Department in the establishment of an
educational program for families, professionals, and the public that can be integrated
with existing State and local education agency programs; and

[(6)] (7) Review any materials the Department may distribute to the
public concerning hearing-impaired NEWBORNS AND infants.