Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session Status: In Committee 1 D cosponsors

HB 2188 — 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.

Last action — Referred to Public Health

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced February 03, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the House.

Prognosis

Stalled 16% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 D).

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

317 added · 269 removed

Plain-language change summary

In the latest amendment to House Bill 2188, the entire content of the original bill was removed and replaced with new language. This means that what was initially proposed has changed significantly, potentially altering the focus or goals of the legislation. Such amendments are often made to clarify the bill's intent or respond to feedback, making it important for lawmakers to ensure the legislation effectively addresses the issues at hand.

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Latest
STATE OF OKLAHOMA 1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025) HOUSE BILL 2188 By:
HB2188 POLPCS1 Meloyde Blancett-TJ 2/11/2025 4:16:40 pm COMMITTEE AMENDMENT HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES State of Oklahoma SPEAKER:
Blancett 5 AS INTRODUCED An Act relating to schools;
CHAIR:
I move to amend HB2188 Of the printed Bill Page Section Lines Of the Engrossed Bill By deleting the content of the entire measure, and by inserting in lieu thereof the following language:
Meloyde.blancett AMEND TITLE TO CONFORM TO AMENDMENTS Amendment submitted by:
Meloyde Blancett Adopted:
_____________________________ ______________________Reading Clerk___ STATE OF OKLAHOMA 1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025) PROPOSED POLICY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO.
2188 By:
Blancett 6 8 PROPOSED POLICY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE An Act relating to schools;
12220 Page 1 1.
12414 Page 1 As used in this act:
1.
"Commissioner" means the State Commissioner of Health of the State of Oklahoma;
"Commissioner" means the State Commissioner of Health;
"Draining ear" means an ear is not able to be screened due to a postulant drainage from the ear canal;
"Draining ear" means an ear is not able to be screened due to a pustulant drainage from the ear canal;
an otoacoustic emission device (DPOAE and/or TPOAE), or d.
an otoacoustic emission device (DPOAE and/or TPOAE), d.
high-resolution headphones that provide ambient noise attenuation;
high-resolution headphones that provide ambient noise attenuation, or Req.
Req.
12220 Page 2 8.
12414 Page 2 e.
all equipment used for hearing screenings shall meet the specifications of ANSI/ASA 53.6-2018 or the manufacturer's recommendations on an annual basis;
8.
"Hard-of-hearing" (HOH) means having some residual hearing and therefore not considered deaf;
"Hard of hearing" (HOH) means having some residual hearing and therefore, not considered deaf;
"Hearing screening registry" is a system for collecting and maintaining in a structured manner the names of individuals that have been approved by the Department as hearing screening providers;
"Hearing screening registry" means a system for collecting and maintaining in a structured manner the names of individuals that have been approved by the Department as hearing screening providers;
13.
"Hearing screening trainer" is a person who has been approved as a hearing screening provider approved by the Department to provide training to potential hearing screening providers;
12220 Page 3 14.
12414 Page 3 13.
"Hearing screening trainer" is a person who has been approved as a hearing screening provider approved by the Department to provide training to potential hearing screening providers;
14.
"Middle ear pathology" refers to the presence of either outer ear obstructions by a foreign object and/or middle ear pressure and/or fluid and/or deformation of middle ear ossicles;
"Middle ear pathology" means the presence of either outer ear obstructions by a foreign object and/or middle ear pressure and/or fluid and/or deformation of middle ear ossicles;
"Noise induced hearing loss" referred to as NIHL is the loss of hearing sensitivity due to excessive exposure at damaging levels of noise;
"Noise-induced hearing loss", referred to as NIHL, means the loss of hearing sensitivity due to excessive exposure at damaging levels of noise;
The State Department of Health, in coordination with the State Department of Education, shall require hearing screenings of all children in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, first, second, third, fifth, seventh, and eleventh grades, or children in comparable age groups referred for testing.
The State Department of Health, in coordination with the State Department of Education, shall require hearing screenings of all children in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, first, second, third, fifth, seventh, and eleventh grades, or children in Req.
This includes any child in any grade being recommended for a hearing screening by a parent Req.
12220 Page 4 and/or educator.
12414 Page 4 comparable age groups referred for testing.
The timing of screenings shall be followed as set forth in paragraph 1, 3, and 4 of subsection G in this section.
This includes any child in any grade being recommended for a hearing screening by a parent and/or educator.
The timing of screenings shall be followed as set forth in paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 of subsection G in this section.
Such screening shall be conducted by personnel listed on the statewide registry as maintained by the State Req.
Such screening shall be conducted by personnel listed on the Req.
12220 Page 5 Department of Health;
12414 Page 5 statewide registry as maintained by the State Department of Health;
12220 Page 6 Department to be a comparable screening tool.
12414 Page 6 Department to be a comparable screening tool.
Tympanometry shall be performed by an audiologist, physician, or another advanced practice provider (APP) who is licensed to interpret diagnostic testing.
(1) 1000 Hz at 20 dB HL, (2) 2000 Hz at 20 dB HL, and (3) 4000 Hz at 20 dB HL;
(1) 1000 Hz at 20 dB HL, (2) 2000 Hz at 20 dB HL, (3) 4000 Hz at 20 dB HL, and (4) 6000 Hz at 20dB;
6000 Hz at 20dB;
4.
All equipment shall meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards and manufacturer specifications.
All equipment must meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards and manufacturer specifications.
This equipment shall be calibrated annually and shall meet the Req.
Show all 102 changed rows (62 more)
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This equipment must be calibrated annually to ensure accuracy.
The equipment model and calibration date must be on all screening forms;
and 5.
Schools opting to use speech screenings must use a tablet meeting the same ANSI standards as an audiometer and an evidence- Req.
12220 Page 7 based, clinically validated assessment software using pure tones and speech software, or any new hearing screening tool determined by the Department to be a comparable screening tool that utilizes both methods.
12414 Page 7 specifications of ANSI/ASA 53.6-2018 or the manufacturer's recommendations to ensure accuracy and validity.
The equipment model and calibration date must be on all screening forms.
Schools opting to use speech screenings must use a tablet meeting the same ANSI standards as an audiometer and an evidence- based, clinically validated assessment software using pure tones and speech software, or any new hearing screening tool determined by the Department to be a comparable screening tool that utilizes both methods.
Those screeners who opt to use tympanometry shall Req.
No.
12414 Page 8 be an audiologist, physician, or another advanced practice provider (APP) who is licensed to interpret diagnostic testing.
Req.
F.
No.
12220 Page 8 F.
This section shall recognize the need to use a gradient method to allow schools to learn, adapt, and implement hearing screenings in the schools.
This section shall recognize the need to use a gradient method to allow schools to learn, adapt, and implement hearing screenings in the schools over a three-year period, unless a district chooses a more rapid implementation.
The gradient method is listed as follows:
The gradient method and timeline is listed as follows:
First year hearing screenings for children may include any of the methods listed therein.
First year hearing screenings for children shall begin in 2026 and may include any of the methods listed therein.
Any child being evaluated for special education services, and/or is referred by a parent/educator, shall be screened using speech and high-frequency pure tones;
Any child being evaluated for special education services, and/or is referred by a parent/educator, shall be screened using speech screening protocol and high-frequency pure tones;
The second year hearing screenings for children may include any of the methods listed therein with the exception of special education students.
The second year hearing screenings for children shall begin in 2027 and may include any of the methods listed therein with the exception of special education students.
Any child who is being evaluated/reevaluated for special education services and/or is referred by a parent/educator shall be screened using speech and high-frequency pure tones;
Any child who is being evaluated/reevaluated for special education services and/or is Req.
No.
12414 Page 9 referred by a parent/educator shall be screened using speech and high-frequency pure tones;
The third year hearing screenings for all children being evaluated for or are in special education services, and/or is referred by a parent/educator shall use speech and high-frequency pure tones.
The third year hearing screenings for all children shall begin in 2028 being evaluated for or are in special education services, and/or is referred by a parent/educator shall use speech and high-frequency pure tones.
qualifications for initial recognition and renewal of recognition of hearing screeners, and Req.
qualifications for initial recognition and renewal of recognition of hearing screeners, and b.
No.
12220 Page 9 b.
provided, Oklahoma licensed audiologists shall be exempt from any training requirements;
provided, Oklahoma licensed audiologists shall be exempt from any training requirements.
maintain a list of approved hearing screener trainers;
maintain a list of approved hearing screener trainers.
a.
Req.
No.
12414 Page 10 a.
conduct which demonstrates that the applicant is providing services in a manner which does not warrant public trust;
conduct which demonstrates that the applicant is providing services in a manner which does not warrant public trust.
and Req.
4.
No.
12220 Page 10 4.
name, address, and date of birth of the student, c.
date of equipment calibration, Req.
name of the student's school, d.
type of examination, e.
a summary of significant findings, including diagnoses, medication used, duration of action of medication, treatment, prognosis, whether or not a return visit is recommended and, if so, when, f.
recommended educational adjustments for the child, if any, which may include:
preferential seating in the classroom, the use of hearing aids, specific Req.
12220 Page 11 interventions, FM systems, and any other recommendations, and g.
12414 Page 11 c.
name, address, and date of birth of the student, d.
name of the student's school, e.
type of examination, f.
a summary of significant findings, including diagnoses, treatment, prognosis, whether or not a return visit is recommended and, if so, when, g.
recommended educational adjustments for the child, if any, which may include:
preferential seating in the classroom, the use of amplification, specific interventions, FM systems, and any other recommendations, and h.
The State Board of Education shall adopt rules for the implementation of this section except as provided in subsection B of this section.
The State Board of Education shall adopt rules for the implementation of this act except as provided in subsection B of Req.
The State Department of Education shall issue a report annually on the impact and effectiveness of this act.
No.
12414 Page 12 this section.
The State Department of Education shall issue a report annually that provides:
1.
The number and grade level of students screened;
2.
The number and grade level of students that were referred for additional, more comprehensive screenings after initial screening, as well as their reading proficiency levels;
3.
For the students who were referred for more comprehensive screening, the actions that were taken to better equip these students for academic success;
and 4.
Any other quantitative or qualitative data and information the Department deems appropriate to include so as to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
This act shall become effective June 1, 2025.
This act shall become effective June 1, 2026.
60-1-12220 TJ 01/15/25 Req.
60-1-12414 TJ 02/11/25 Req.
12220 Page 12
12414 Page 13
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Action History

  1. Referred to Public Health

  2. Referred to Health and Human Services Oversight

  3. Withdrawn from Rules Committee

  4. Second Reading referred to Rules

  5. Authored by Representative Blancett

  6. First Reading

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 150 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (150)

150 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 150 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

education
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 2188?
HB 2188 is sponsored by Meloyde Blancett (Democrat).
What is the current status of HB 2188?
This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced February 03, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track HB 2188?
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