HOUSE BILL REPORT
SHB 2544
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Passed House:
February 13, 2014
Title: An act relating to newborn screening.
Brief Description: Concerning newborn screening.
Sponsors: House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Riccelli, Holy, Bergquist, Ormsby, Manweller, Christian, Green, Pettigrew and Kretz).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care & Wellness: 1/29/14, 2/3/14 [DPS].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/13/14, 93-5.
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS |
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 15 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Riccelli, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Harris, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Clibborn, DeBolt, Green, G. Hunt, Jinkins, Manweller, Moeller, Morrell, Ross, Tharinger and Van De Wege.
Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).
Background:
Newborn infants are screened for several inherited genetic disorders that can lead to death or disability without early interventions. Hospitals must obtain sample blood specimens from each newborn prior to discharge or within five days of birth if the newborn has not been discharged by that time. Samples must be forwarded to the Washington State Public Health Laboratory no later than the day after their collection. Upon receipt of a sample, the Department of Health (Department) performs screening tests for 27 types of disorders. The Department must report any laboratory test results indicating a suspicion of abnormality to the infant's attending physician.
In 2012, of the 86,180 births in Washington that were subject to newborn screening requirements, a genetic disorder was detected in 209 infants.
Summary of Substitute Bill:
Hospitals and health care providers attending out-of-hospital births must collect and submit sample blood specimens to the Department of Health (Department) for all newborns within 48 hours of birth. The sample must be received by the Department within 72 hours of the collection of the sample, excepting any days that the Washington State Public Health Laboratory is closed.
If the Department notifies an infant's attending health care provider that a screening test indicates a suspicion of abnormality, the attending physician must notify the Department of the date when the parents or guardians were informed of the results.
The Department must compile an annual report regarding the compliance rate of hospitals at meeting the deadlines for newborn screenings and the promptness of health care providers at informing parents and guardians about screening tests that indicate a suspicion of abnormality. The report shall be published annually and shall identify the performance of each individual hospital.
The reporting for attending health care providers and the compliance rate reporting requirement for the Department expire January 1, 2020.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) The entire premise of newborn screening is to detect disorders quickly so that babies can be treated early to avert death and physical disability and to avoid fiscal costs. Across the country 160,000 samples arrive late to laboratories. There have been a number of cases in other states in which newborn screening results were not delivered quickly enough for laboratories to screen them in time to avert some very tragic consequences. The conditions have differences in when they manifest themselves, and it is important that test results be received by the Department of Health (Department) within seven days of birth; this bill fits that timeline. These changes will shave at least a day off of getting results out to parents and health care providers. This bill is important for obtaining knowledge about how hospitals are performing.
This bill will give families information to make some of life's most important decisions and improve the lives of children. This bill will help families in planning care.
This bill will assist the State Board of Health in updating its rules around timing.
Providers that are attending out-of-hospital births would like to be held to the same standard for newborn screenings. Allowing all babies to be tested no matter where they are born is a good thing.
There should be an amendment to exclude days when the Public Health Laboratory is closed from the count of days for the Department to receive the samples.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Riccelli, prime sponsor; Michelle Davis, Washington State Board of Health; Jennifer Tebaldi, Washington Department of Health; Amber Ulvenes, Midwives Association of Washington State; and Lisa Thatcher, Washington State Hospital Association.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.