SPONSOR:	Rep. Keeley
	Reps. Brady, Carson, Hall-Long, Johnson, Kowalko, Lofink, Longhurst, Maier, M Marshall, McWilliams, Mitchell, Mulrooney, Outten, Schooley, Schwartzkopf, B. Short, Spence, Stone, Thornburg, Valihura, Viola, Walls, Williams; Sens. Blevins, Connor, Sorenson

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

144th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 379

AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 26A, TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE HEARING AND LOAN BANK.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend §2602A(3)d., Title 16 of the Delaware Code by deleting the number “3” as it appears therein and substituting the number “18” in lieu thereof.

Section 2. Amend §2605(6) by deleting the term “3-month” as it appears therein and substituting the term “6-month” in lieu thereof.

SYNOPSIS

Last year, the State of Delaware received only two requests for loans through the hearing aid loan bank, one of which had to be denied because the 11 year old applicant was ineligible under the current statutory provisions. To ensure that all eligible Delaware children have access to necessary hearing aids, this act expands eligibility for hearing aids to all children less than 18 years of age. This act also allows the program manager to extend the original loan period for additional 6-month periods.