HB 7085 — Sickle Cell Disease
by Health & Human Services Committee and Reps. Skidmore, Driskell, and others (SB 7070 by Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Committee (AHS)
The bill establishes the Sickle Cell Disease Research and Treatment Grant Program (Program) within the Department of Health (DOH). The Program will fund projects that improve the quality and accessibility of health care available for persons living with sickle cell disease (SCD) in the state and advance the collection and analysis of comprehensive data to support SCD research. Grants must be awarded to community-based sickle cell disease treatment and research centers to fund the following types of projects:
- SCD workforce development and education; and
- Operational and facility enhancement support for Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Centers of Excellence.
The bill requires the DOH to submit an annual report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the status and progress of each grant award.
The bill revises the SCD and sickle cell trait screening requirements to require that screening providers notify a newborn’s parent or guardian, rather than the newborn’s primary care physician, of certain information. The bill also authorizes individuals, other than newborns, that have been identified as having SCD or carrying the sickle cell trait, to volunteer for inclusion on the DOH’s sickle cell registry.
The bill may have an indeterminate fiscal impact on the DOH to establish the Program. The 2024-2025 General Appropriations Act provides $10 million in recurring general revenue funds for the Program.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect upon becoming law.
Vote: Senate 39-0; House 116-0