Newborn Screening (H 6108, S 200)

ACLU legislation was successfully enacted to clarify existing law about screening newborns for illnesses.

ACLU legislation was successfully enacted to clarify existing law about screening newborns for illnesses. In 2008, the General Assembly passed a broad-based law allowing doctors to test newborns not only for disorders which are treatable in early childhood and for which there is a benefit to early detection, but also for any and all “other conditions.” The language allowed for genetic testing for diseases which a baby could be predisposed to but never contract. This new legislation keeps newborn screening focused on diseases which are treatable in childhood.