Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 102 Part 3.djvu/819

 PUBLIC LAW 100-553—OCT. 28, 1988

102 STAT. 2771

MULTIPURPOSE DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS CENTER

"SEC. 464C. (a) The Director of the Institute shall, after consulta- 42 USC 285m-3. tion with the advisory council for the Institute, provide for the development, modernization, and operation (including care required for research) of new and existing centers for studies of disorders of hearing and other communication processes. For purposes of this section, the term 'modernization' means the alteration, remodeling, improvement, expansion, and repair of existing buildings and the provision of equipment for such buildings to the extent necessary to make them suitable for use as centers described in the preceding sentence. "(b) Each center Eissisted under this section shall— "(1) use the facilities of a single institution or a consortium of cooperating institutions; and "(2) meet such qualifications as may be prescribed by the Secretary. "(c) Each center assisted under this section shall, at least, conduct— "(1) basic and clinical research into the cause diagnosis, early detection, prevention, control and treatment of disorders of hearing and other communication processes and complications resulting from such disorders, including research into rehabilitative aids, implantable biomaterials, auditory speech processors, speech production devices, and other otolaryngologic procedures; "(2) training programs for physicians, scientists, and other Healthcare health and allied health professionals; professionals. "(3) information and continuing education programs for physicians and other health and allied health professionals who will provide care for patients with disorders of hearing or other communication processes; and "(4) programs for the dissemination to the general public of information— "(A) on the importance of early detection of disorders of hearing and other communication processes, of seeking prompt treatment, rehabilitation, and of following an appropriate regimen; and (B) on the importance of avoiding exposure to noise and other environmental toxic agents that may affect disorders of hearing or other communication processes. "(d) A center may use funds provided under subsection (a) to provide stipends for health professionals enrolled in training programs described in subsection (c)(2). "(e) Each center assisted under this section may conduct programs— "(1) to establish the effectiveness of new and improved methods of detection, referral, and diagnosis of individuals at risk of developing disorders of hearing or other communication processes; and "(2) to disseminate the results of research, screening, and other activities, and develop means of standardizing patient data and recordkeeping. "(f) The Director of the Institute shall, to the extent practicable, Aged persons. provide for an equitable geographical distribution of centers assisted Children and under this section. The Director shall give appropriate consideration youth.

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