3. a. The commissioner shall ensure that, effective January 1, 2002, all newborn children in the State shall be screened for hearing loss by an appropriate electrophysiologic screening measure.
b. Effective January 1, 2002, the department shall issue guidelines for the periodic monitoring of all infants between the age of 29 days and 36 months for delayed onset hearing loss.
c. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection a. of this section to the contrary, no newborn child shall be screened for hearing loss if the parent of the newborn objects to such screening on the grounds that the screening conflicts with the parents' bona fide religious tenets or practices.