HB1362: Newborn screening; tests for time-critical disorders.


VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY -- CHAPTER
An Act to amend and reenact § 32.1-65 of the Code of Virginia, relating to newborn screening.
[H 1362]
Approved

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 32.1-65 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 32.1-65. Certain newborn screening required.

In order to prevent intellectual disability and permanent disability or death, every infant who is born in the Commonwealth shall be subjected to screening tests for various disorders consistent with, but not necessarily identical to, the uniform condition panel recommended by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children.

Any infant whose parent or guardian objects thereto on the grounds that such tests conflict with his religious practices or tenets shall not be required to receive such screening tests.

The physician or certified nurse midwife in charge of the infant's care after delivery shall cause such tests to be performed. The screening tests shall be performed by the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services or any other laboratory the Department of Health has contracted with to provide this such service. Screening tests for time-critical disorders identified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children shall be performed seven days a week.

The program for screening infants for sickle cell diseases shall be conducted in addition to the programs provided for in Article 8 (§ 32.1-68 et seq.).

2. That the provisions of this act shall become effective on January 1, 2019.


HOUSE BILL NO. 1362
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions
on February 6, 2018)
(Patron Prior to Substitute--Delegate Austin)
A BILL to amend and reenact § 32.1-65 of the Code of Virginia, relating to newborn screening.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 32.1-65 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 32.1-65. Certain newborn screening required.

In order to prevent intellectual disability and permanent disability or death, every infant who is born in the Commonwealth shall be subjected to screening tests for various disorders consistent with, but not necessarily identical to, the uniform condition panel recommended by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children.

Any infant whose parent or guardian objects thereto on the grounds that such tests conflict with his religious practices or tenets shall not be required to receive such screening tests.

The physician or certified nurse midwife in charge of the infant's care after delivery shall cause such tests to be performed. The screening tests shall be performed by the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services or any other laboratory the Department of Health has contracted with to provide this such service. Screening tests for time-critical disorders identified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children shall be performed seven days a week.

The program for screening infants for sickle cell diseases shall be conducted in addition to the programs provided for in Article 8 (§ 32.1-68 et seq.).

2. That the provisions of this act shall become effective on January 1, 2019.

HOUSE BILL NO. 1362

Offered January 11, 2018
A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-1103 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services; availability of testing services.
Patron-- Austin

Committee Referral Pending

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 2.2-1103 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 2.2-1103. Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services.

Within the Department shall be created the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (the "Division"), which shall provide certain laboratory services, including research and scientific investigations, for various agencies of the Commonwealth in an efficient, effective and professional manner. The Department shall ensure that testing services related to newborn screening are provided seven days per week to ensure that results of such screenings are available in a timely manner.

The provisions of this article shall in no manner limit the authority and responsibilities of institutions of higher education from conducting laboratory services, research and scientific investigations independently of the Division.