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CS/CS/SB 1124 — Newborn Screenings
by Appropriations Committee; Health Policy Committee; and Senators Book and Young
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Health Policy Committee (HP)
The bill creates requirements for the Department of Health (DOH) relating to the newborn screening program.
The newborn screening program is established within the DOH to promote the screening of all newborns born in Florida for metabolic, hereditary, and congenital disorders known to result in significant impairment of health or intellect as screening tests and medical treatment to ameliorate the condition that are accepted by current medical practice become available.
The bill requires the Genetics and Newborn Screening Advisory Council (Advisory Council) to evaluate within one year after a condition is added to the federal Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP) whether the condition should be included under the state’s screening program.
The bill requires the DOH to adopt by rule the process for testing any condition that was included on the RUSP which the Advisory Council recommends should be included under the state’s screening program. The bill further requires that once the Advisory Council recommends a condition be included, the DOH must submit a legislative budget request for funding to add testing for the condition to the newborn screening program. The DOH is required to expand statewide screening of newborns for the condition within 18 months if a test for the condition that meets certain guidelines is available. If a test is not available within this timeframe, the bill requires the DOH to implement the screening as soon as a test is available.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2017.
Vote: Senate 38-0; House 117-0