1. Subject to appropriations, the Missouri commission for the deaf and hard of hearing shall establish a statewide hearing aid distribution program to provide financial assistance to allow individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and whose household income is at or below the federal poverty level to obtain hearing aids. All assessment for need and distribution of hearing aids shall be performed by audiologists or hearing instrument specialists licensed under chapters 345 and 346 or physicians licensed under chapter 334.

2. There is hereby created in the state treasury the “Statewide Hearing Aid Distribution Fund”, which shall consist of moneys collected under this section. The state treasurer shall be the custodian of the fund. In accordance with sections 30.170 and 30.180, the state treasurer may approve disbursements. The fund shall be a dedicated fund and, upon appropriation, moneys in the fund shall be used solely for the administration of this section. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 33.080 to the contrary, any moneys remaining in the fund at the end of the biennium shall not revert to the credit of the general revenue fund. The state treasurer shall invest moneys in the fund in the same manner as other funds are invested. Any interest and moneys earned on such investments shall be credited to the fund. Funding for the statewide hearing aid distribution program shall not be allocated from the assistive technology trust fund established under section 161.930 or the deaf relay service and equipment distribution program fund under section 209.258. The Missouri commission for the deaf and hard of hearing may accept gifts, donations, grants, and bequests from individuals, private organizations, foundations, or other sources for the purpose of establishment and operation of the statewide hearing aid distribution program.

3. The Missouri commission for the deaf and hard of hearing may promulgate rules to implement and administer the statewide hearing aid distribution program under this section. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028. This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2019, shall be invalid and void.

4. The Missouri commission for the deaf and hard of hearing may enter into contracts as necessary to carry out the statewide hearing aid distribution program including, but not limited to, contracts with disability organizations.