S.B. No. 1044 amends the Health and Safety Code to include Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in the list of conditions for which newborn screening tests are required. The bill updates the heading of Chapter 33 to reflect this addition and defines DMD as a progressive muscular degeneration disorder caused by alterations of the dystrophin protein. It mandates that the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) implement a program to combat morbidity and mortality associated with DMD, along with other heritable diseases and hypothyroidism. The DSHS is also tasked with establishing a laboratory to develop screening tests and methods for prevention and treatment of these conditions.

Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of healthcare providers in screening newborns for DMD and other specified disorders, ensuring that parents and relevant health authorities are notified of abnormal test results. It allows for referrals to the department's services program for children with special health care needs for those who test presumptively positive. The bill stipulates that the DSHS may provide services to individuals of any age who meet eligibility criteria following a positive test. The implementation of these provisions is contingent upon legislative appropriations, and the act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 33.001, Health and Safety Code 33.002, Health and Safety Code 33.011, Health and Safety Code 33.014, Health and Safety Code 33.031, Health and Safety Code 33.032, Occupations Code 203.355 (Health and Safety Code 33, Occupations Code 203)
Senate Committee Report: Health and Safety Code 33.001, Health and Safety Code 33.002, Health and Safety Code 33.011, Health and Safety Code 33.014, Health and Safety Code 33.031, Health and Safety Code 33.032, Occupations Code 203.355 (Health and Safety Code 33, Occupations Code 203)
Engrossed: Health and Safety Code 33.001, Health and Safety Code 33.002, Health and Safety Code 33.011, Health and Safety Code 33.014, Health and Safety Code 33.031, Health and Safety Code 33.032, Occupations Code 203.355 (Health and Safety Code 33, Occupations Code 203)
House Committee Report: Health and Safety Code 33.001, Health and Safety Code 33.002, Health and Safety Code 33.011, Health and Safety Code 33.014, Health and Safety Code 33.031, Health and Safety Code 33.032, Occupations Code 203.355 (Health and Safety Code 33, Occupations Code 203)
Enrolled: Health and Safety Code 33.001, Health and Safety Code 33.002, Health and Safety Code 33.011, Health and Safety Code 33.014, Health and Safety Code 33.031, Health and Safety Code 33.032, Occupations Code 203.355 (Health and Safety Code 33, Occupations Code 203)