BILL NUMBER: S5454AREVISED 6/5/25
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend public health law, in relation to requiring cytomegalo-
virus screening for every newborn
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To require universal screenings of newborns for cytomegalovirus.ti
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section one amends paragraph (h) of subdivision 1 of section 2500-a of
the public health law.
Section two establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Chapter 307 of the laws of 2018 requires that all newborns who fail
their initial hearing screening be tested for cytomegalovirus (CMV), a
common congenital viral infection and the leading non-genetic cause of
deafness in children. While most CMV infections do not cause harm to
adults and those infected may not show any signs or symptoms, the
effects have the potential to be devastating to a newborn. There are
20,000 to 40,000 infants born with CMV and nationwide roughly 400 chil-
dren die from CMV annually. Despite many infants appearing asymptomatic
at birth, at least 20 percent of those with CMV will have permanent
disabilities, such as hearing loss, microcephaly, intellectual deficits,
and vision abnormalities.
Failure of an initial hearing screening after birth is often an indica-
tor of a CMV infection, however, it does not identify all newborns
carrying the infection. By testing all newborns for CMV, regardless of
the outcome of a hearing screening, we can quickly link them to treat-
ments designed to improve hearing and developmental outcomes.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2022-23: A.7997 Referred to Health; S.7659 Referred to Health
2021-22: A.10129 Referred to Health
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S5454: 2500-a public health law, 2500-a(1) public health law
S5454A: 2500-a public health law, 2500-a(1) public health law