The proposed bill would amend current Arizona statutes regarding the newborn screening program by introducing an exemption to the requirement that new congenital disorders be added to the state's screening panel within two years of their inclusion in the federal Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP). Specifically, the bill stipulates that this two-year timeframe does not apply if there is no commercially available test approved by the FDA and if a laboratory-developed test is used that requires FDA premarket review and approval or authorization. This change aims to provide flexibility in the implementation of new screening requirements when testing methods are not yet available.

Additionally, the bill makes technical and conforming changes to the existing statute, including the reorganization of subsections and the removal of outdated language. The current requirement for the newborn screening program to include all congenital disorders listed on the RUSP remains intact, but the new provisions will allow for a more nuanced approach to the addition of disorders based on the availability of testing methods. The bill is set to become effective on the general effective date if passed.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 36-694
Senate Engrossed Version: 36-694
Chaptered Version: 36-694