253.115(6)(a)(a) Subsection (4) does not apply if the parents or legal guardian of the child object to a screen for hearing loss on the grounds that the test conflicts with their religious tenets and practices.

253.115(6)(b)(b) No screening may be performed under sub. (4) unless the parents or legal guardian are fully informed of the purposes of a screen for hearing loss and have been given reasonable opportunity to object under par. (a) to the screen.

253.115(7)(a)(a) The physician, nurse-midwife licensed under s. 441.15, or certified professional midwife licensed under s. 440.982 who is required to ensure that the infant is screened for hearing loss under sub. (4) shall do all of the following:

253.115(7)(a)2.2. If the infant has an abnormal hearing screening result, ensure the parents or legal guardian are provided information on available resources for diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss.

253.115(7)(a)3.3. Send to the state laboratory of hygiene board screening results and the infant’s risk factors to contract a hearing loss.

253.115(7)(b)(b) The state laboratory of hygiene board shall send the information provided under par. (a) 3. to the department.

253.115(8)(8) Confidentiality. Except as provided under sub. (7) (a) 3. and (b), no information obtained under this section from the parents or legal guardian may be disclosed except for use in statistical data compiled by the department without reference to the identity of any individual and except as provided in s. 146.82 (2).

253.12(1)(a)(a) “Birth defect” means any of the following conditions affecting an infant or child that occurs prior to or at birth and that requires medical or surgical intervention or interferes with normal growth and development:

253.12(1)(b)(b) “Pediatric specialty clinic” means a clinic the primary purpose of which is to provide pediatric specialty diagnostic, counseling and medical management services to persons with birth defects by a physician subspecialist.

253.12(1)(c)(c) “Infant or child” means a human being from birth to the age of 2 years.

253.12(1)(d)(d) “Physician” has the meaning given in s. 448.01 (5).

253.12(2)(a)(a) Except as provided in par. (b), all of the following shall report in the manner prescribed by the department under sub. (3) (a) 3. a birth defect in an infant or child that is specified under sub. (3) (a) 2. or (d):

253.12(2)(a)1.1. A pediatric specialty clinic in which the birth defect is diagnosed in an infant or child or treatment for the birth defect is provided to the infant or child.

253.12(2)(a)2.2. A physician who diagnoses the birth defect or provides treatment to the infant or child for the birth defect.

253.12(2)(am)(am) Any hospital in which a birth defect is diagnosed in an infant or child or treatment is provided to the infant or child may report the birth defect in the manner prescribed by the department under sub. (3) (a) 3.

253.12(2)(b)(b) No person specified under par. (a) need report under par. (a) if that person knows that another person specified under par. (a) or (am) has already reported to the department the required information with respect to the same birth defect of the same infant or child.

253.12(2)(c)(c) If the department determines that there is a discrepancy in any data reported under this subsection, the department may request a physician, hospital or pediatric specialty clinic to provide to the department information contained in the medical records of patients who have a confirmed or suspected birth defect diagnosis. The physician, hospital or pediatric specialty clinic shall provide that information within 10 working days after the department requests it.

253.12(2)(d)(d) The department may not require a person specified under par. (a) 1. or 2. to report the name of an infant or child for whom a report is made under par. (a) if the parent or guardian of the infant or child states in writing that he or she refuses to release the name or address of the infant or child.

253.12(2)(e)(e) If the address of an infant or child for whom a report is made under par. (a) is included in the report, the department shall encode the address to refer to the same geographical location.