The bill seeks to improve the newborn screening process in Washington State by mandating timely and evidence-based updates to the screening panel. It requires the Department of Health to conduct screenings for conditions specified by the state board of health and establishes a new requirement for the board to reestablish the newborn screening panel by July 1, 2026. This reestablishment will include all conditions from current state rules and the federal recommended uniform screening panel. Additionally, the public will have the opportunity to petition for new conditions to be added to the panel, contingent upon sufficient scientific evidence.

Furthermore, the bill revises the fee structure for newborn screenings, increasing the fee from $8.40 and allowing the Department of Health to collect these fees to support specialty clinics and community outreach for congenital disorders. It creates a newborn screening revenue account to manage the collected funds, ensuring they are used exclusively for the newborn screening program. The bill also modifies the distribution of earnings from the investment income account, specifying that certain accounts will receive 80 percent of their proportionate share of earnings, and outlines the expiration of specific sections by July 1, 2030.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 70.83.020, 70.83.023, 70.83.030