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 must add any new RUSP-approved conditions to the panel within a specified timeline, ensuring that conditions added prior to January 1, 2024, are included by October 1, 2027.

Furthermore, the act stipulates that testing for heritable diseases is contingent upon the availability of funding and workforce at the State Laboratory. It also clarifies that no screening tests will be administered if parents object on religious grounds, protecting healthcare providers from liability in such cases. The bill aims to improve the health outcomes of newborns in Alabama by ensuring timely and comprehensive screening for genetic and metabolic conditions. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2024.

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