SENATE 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 of February 24, 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: Passed House: 2/13/14, 93-5.
Committee Activity: Health Care: 2/24/14.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE |
Staff: Kathleen Buchli (786-7488)
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.
Summary of Bill: Hospitals and health care providers attending out-of-hospital births must collect and submit sample blood specimens to the 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.
Until January 1, 2020, 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 compiled and published annually through January 1, 2020, and must identify the performance of each individual hospital.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The Department should be able to implement this within existing resources. This bill addresses concerns about delays in treatment for diseases that are the result of delays in receiving the test results. Disorders detected through newborn screening can lead to developmental disabilities, physician disabilities, or death. These are conditions which must be treated immediately. We want to avoid tragic results in Washington State and ensure the screenings are conducted quickly and the results are communicated quickly to parents and guardians. 86,000 babies were tested last year; under the bill, every child will get results within a week of birth. This applies to all births, whether the birth took place in a hospital or not. This will improve the health of children. We support births in all settings being held to the same standard.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Riccelli, prime sponsor; Sabrina Ahrens, Amber Ulvenes, Midwives Assn. of WA State; Jennifer Tebaldi, WA State Dept. of Health; Lisa Thatcher, WA State Hospital Assn.; Michelle Davis, WA State Board of Health.