Vitale, Gill Bill to Revise State Newborn Screening Program Clears Senate

Trenton – Legislation sponsored by Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee Chair Joseph F. Vitale and Senator Nia H. Gill, to revise the state’s program for screening newborns for congenital disorders, cleared the Senate today.

“Screening newborns is critical to protecting their health and wellbeing. It allows for crucial proactive, rather than reactive, treatment when something is detected,” said Senator Vitale (D-Middlesex). “Many potential health issues and developmental disorders are not apparent at birth, but they can be detected through testing. Left untreated, these things may present a host of issues as the baby grows and could lead to long term complications when, if addressed early, the greater affects could be mitigated or cured all together.”

“Updating the newborn screening program annually as technology advances and we learn more about what should be tested for will ensure the screening is as comprehensive and efficient as possible,” said Senator Gill (D-Essex/Passaic). “It is crucial these tests are effective to ensure we are offering parents the best possible outcomes for their children.”

The New Jersey Department of Health currently requires that within 48 hours of birth, a newborn be screened for 55 disorders. One heel prick of the newborn provides enough blood to test for all 55 disorders.

The bill, S-484, would revise New Jersey’s “Newborn Screening” program in the Department of Health and require the Health Commissioner to formally establish the Newborn Screening Advisory Review Committee. The committee would annually review screening technologies, treatment options, as well as educational and follow-up procedures. It would meet annually to review and revise the list of disorders recommended for inclusion in the newborn screening program.

The Commissioner of Health would be required to approve any recommended changes to the screening list or the testing protocols. The commissioner would be required to create a follow-up program to provide timely information and recommendations for referrals to specialists for newborns who screen positive for certain disorders.

The bill would permit parents of newborns to opt out of having their child screened by providing written notice.

The bill was released from the Senate by a vote of 39-0.