[영문]objective. This study was conducted to determine the effect of state UniversalNewborn Hearing Screening legislation on the percentage of infants havingtheir hearing screened within one month of birth.Methods. Hearing screening data for 2000?2003 were obtained from statehearing screening programs. States with Universal Newborn Hearing Screeninglegislation were categorized according to legislation type and implementationstatus, and hearing screening rates were compared between states withimplemented legislation and states with no legislation.Results. Hearing screening rates among states that implemented UniversalNewborn Hearing Screening legislation were significantly higher than rates inno-legislation states throughout the study period, although the mean screeningrate among no-legislation states increased substantially from 2000 through2003. The percentage of states attaining a 95% national screening qualityindicator in each year was substantially greater among states with implementedlegislation. In 2003, 76% of states with implemented Universal Newborn HearingScreening legislation reported screening at least 95% of infants, comparedwith 26% of states without legislation. Although there is a greater likelihood ofmeeting the national screening target with Universal Newborn Hearing Screeninglegislation than without, other factors such as collaborative relationshipsand federal funding can also influence this outcome.Conclusion. State legislation has had a positive effect on hearing screeningrates and is one tool states can use to help ensure that infants are screened forhearing loss.