Bill > HB433

This bill directs the Department of Health to establish a formal process for considering the addition of disorders to Virginia's newborn screening program that are not already on the federal Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP), which is a list of disorders recommended by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services for states to screen for. This new process will include specific criteria for which disorders should be considered, a timeline for reviewing these disorders, and a timeline for starting the official rulemaking process to add them. Importantly, for any disorder considered for inclusion that is not on the RUSP, the Department can only proceed with a full evaluation if the General Assembly provides funding for it, unless private or other outside funding is available. If the Department determines a disorder should be added, it must report this to the General Assembly, including cost estimates, and no disorder can be added without legislative appropriation. The bill also requires the Department to consult with the Newborn Screening Advisory Committee and other stakeholders when developing this process and to report annually to the General Assembly on the status of the screening program, including any disorders under consideration or not recommended for inclusion.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB433