California State Assembly Bill AB 435 – Locked Hearing Aids
Why is it important? California State Assembly Bill AB435 will require hearing aid dispensers and dispensing audiologists to provide the purchaser with a written notice before the sale of a hearing aid if the hearing aid being purchased uses proprietary or locked programming software.
Update 9/2021
Woo Hoo! We Did IT!
California State Assembly Bill AB435 was signed by the Governor on September 9th, 2021. Thanks for all your hard work in getting this bill passed. Special thanks go to board members Katie Wright, Nanci Linke-Ellis . . .
The links provided allow you an insight into the bill and how to help advocate for its passing. They are linked to document files for download.
- This is the bill as introduced by Assemblymember Kevin Mullin. link to AB 435
- The AB 435 Fact Sheet prepared by the Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology & Hearing Aid Dispensers Board: link to AB 435 Fact Sheet
- The Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology & Hearing Aid Dispensers Board complied this set of slides introducing the legislative process: link to Welcome to Navigating the Legislative Process: How to Make Your Voice Heard
- The Legislative Process Citizen Guide, published by Senate Publication, complements the document above: link to Legislative Process Citizen Guide
- This document documents using the teleconference system to give public comments to a committee. link to Teleconference – Tips for Success
- This quick reference sheet demonstrates how advocates can access California Legislation committees’ “Position Letter Portal.” link to Committee Services – Quick Reference Sheet “Position Letter Portal.”
- A sample letter (template) pre-addressed to Assemblymember Mullin supporting AB 435: link to Stakeholder Sample Support Letter