FINAL 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.

Background:

Newborn infants are screened for several inherited genetic disorders that may 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 28 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 by the Department in 209 infants.

Summary:

Hospitals and health care providers attending out-of-hospital births must collect sample blood specimens and submit them 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 must be published annually and must identify the performance of each individual hospital.

The results notification reporting requirement for attending health care providers and the compliance rate reporting requirement for the Department expire January 1, 2020.

Votes on Final Passage:

House	93	5
Senate	48	0