H.R. 1246 is being considered under suspension of the rules, requiring a two-thirds vote for passage. The legislation was introduced by Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA) on March 2, 2009.

H.R. 1246 would amend and reauthorize through Fiscal Year 2015 programs within the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Health Services and Resources Administration (HRSA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) related to early detection of hearing loss. Specifically, the bill authorizes CDC grants and technical assistance to states for newborn and infant hearing research and surveillance, HRSA grants to support statewide efforts for newborn and infant hearing loss screening and detection, and NIH research on hearing loss and intervention. The bill would also create a new program of NIH post-doctoral research fellows to examine early hearing detection and intervention.

On April 8, 2008, the House passed a similar bill (H.R. 1198) by voice vote. The Senate never considered the legislation.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, implementation of H.R. 1246 would increase spending subject to appropriations by $14 million in Fiscal Year 2010 and $151 million over five years.