A.R.S. § 41-2023: Speech and audition services; rules

A. Beginning July 1, 2027, subject to available appropriations, the department shall contract with listening and spoken language providers in this state to provide speech and audition services to early intervention programs and services to eligible families that have infants and toddlers who are deaf or hard of hearing. Each contractor shall ensure that the provided services are administered by or overseen by a certified auditory verbal educator or therapist in a natural environment, clinical setting, educational setting or virtual setting.

B. The department shall refer eligible families that have infants and toddlers who are deaf or hard of hearing to at least both of the following:

1. Contracted listening and spoken language providers.

2. The Arizona state schools for the deaf and the blind.

C. The department may adopt rules, policies and procedures to implement this section. The department may use up to ten percent of monies appropriated for contracts prescribed in subsection A of this section for administrative costs.