H-1460.1          _______________________________________________

                                  HOUSE BILL 1906

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State of Washington              52nd Legislature             1991 Regular Session

By Representatives Jones and Braddock.

Read first time February 14, 1991.  Referred to Committee on Health CareMandating screening for the hereditary disorder of galactosemia.

     AN ACT Relating to screening tests for hereditary diseases; and amending RCW 70.83.020.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

     Sec. 1.  RCW 70.83.020 and 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 27 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

     It shall be the duty of the department of ((social and health services)) health to require screening tests of all newborn infants before they are discharged from the hospital for the detection of phenylketonuria, galactosemia, and other heritable or metabolic disorders leading to mental retardation or physical defects as defined by the state board of health:  PROVIDED, That no such tests shall be given to any newborn infant whose parents or guardian object thereto on the grounds that such tests conflict with their religious tenets and practices.