Title: Newborn Screenings

Summary: Subject to legislative appropriation and beginning on a specified date, requiring that the Department of Health's rules require that newborns be screened for Duchenne muscular dystrophy at the appropriate age, etc.

Full Text:
An act relating to newborn screenings; amending s. 383.14, F.S.; subject to legislative appropriation and beginning on a specified date, requiring that the Department of Health s rules require that newborns be screened for Duchenne muscular dystrophy at the appropriate age; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 383.14, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 383.14 Screening for metabolic disorders, other hereditary and congenital disorders, and environmental risk factors.  (2) RULES.  (a) After consultation with the Genetics and Newborn Screening Advisory Council, the department shall adopt and enforce rules requiring that every newborn in this state shall: 1. Before becoming week of age, have a blood specimen collected for newborn screenings; 2. Be tested for any condition included on the federal Recommended Uniform Screening Panel which the council advises the department should be included under the state s screening program. After the council recommends that a condition be included, the department shall submit a legislative budget request to seek an appropriation to add testing of the condition to the newborn screening program. The department shall expand statewide screening of newborns to include screening for such conditions within months after the council renders such advice, if a test approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration or a test offered by an alternative vendor is available. If such a test is not available within months after the council makes its recommendation, the department shall implement such screening as soon as a test offered by the United States Food and Drug Administration or by an alternative vendor is available; and 3. At the appropriate age, be tested for such other metabolic diseases and hereditary or congenital disorders as the department may deem necessary. Subject to legislative appropriation, beginning January 1, 2027, the rules must require that newborns be screened for Duchenne muscular dystrophy at the appropriate age. Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.