This bill amends the Public Health Code to update the requirements for newborn screening tests administered by health professionals. It specifies that health professionals in charge of a newborn's care must conduct tests for conditions including phenylketonuria, galactosemia, hypothyroidism, maple syrup urine disease, biotinidase deficiency, sickle cell anemia, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, medium-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency, and Krabbe disease. The bill also clarifies that informed consent requirements do not apply to these tests, which must be reported to the infant's parents or guardians if results are positive. Additionally, it allows the department to charge a fee for the tests, which will be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index.

Further provisions include the establishment of a schedule for the retention and disposal of blood specimens used for testing, ensuring compliance with national standards and confidentiality in medical research. The department is tasked with rewriting its informational pamphlet to include details about the testing program, the importance of retaining blood specimens, and the potential use of these specimens for medical research. The bill also allows for the option of drawing an additional blood specimen for identification purposes, with the requirement that parents or guardians are informed about its use and preservation. The act will take effect 90 days after being enacted into law.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 333.5431