The bill, known as the Zachary Thomas Newborn Screening Act, amends the Code of Alabama to enhance the state's newborn screening program. It introduces new definitions related to the program, including terms such as "Newborn Screening Panel," "RUSP" (Recommended Uniform Screening Panel), and "State Laboratory." The act mandates that newborns with a family history of certain diseases be tested for those conditions, and it requires that conditions on the RUSP be included in the Newborn Screening Panel. Additionally, the State Board of Health is tasked with adopting rules for the program and ensuring that new RUSP-approved conditions are added to the panel within specified timelines.

The bill also stipulates that testing for heritable diseases is contingent upon the availability of funding and workforce at the State Laboratory. It establishes a timeline for the addition of RUSP conditions to the Newborn Screening Panel, requiring that any new conditions be added within 36 months of their approval by the RUSP, with a deadline for previously approved conditions set for October 1, 2027. The act will take effect on October 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 22-20-3, 22-20-3
Enrolled: 22-20-3, 22-20-3