1. In order to conduct and maintain a census of the deaf population in Missouri as mandated in section 161.405, the Missouri commission for the deaf and hard of hearing shall establish a census information system. The commission may also use the data collected by the census to determine needs of Missouri citizens who have a hearing loss.

2. Licensed professional clinical audiologists, licensed otolaryngologists, licensed hearing aid fitters and dealers or their designee shall inform all patients of the commission’s purpose to maintain a census of the deaf population in Missouri and of the statutory requirement to file a report of deafness and hearing loss to the commission within one month of identification of such deafness or hearing loss.

3. To provide an accurate census of the deaf population in Missouri, the census report shall include the name of the patient, the patient’s address, the patient’s birth date, the type of hearing loss and, if known, the cause of the hearing loss being treated. The census report shall be on forms provided or approved by the commission. In order to protect identifying information, the commission shall assign a unique identifier for each report maintained in the census information system.

4. Nothing in sections 161.400 to 161.411 shall be construed to compel any individual to submit to any medical examination, treatment or supervision nor any examination, treatment or supervision by the commission of any kind.