TITLE: Relating to newborn or infant testing for congenital cytomegalovirus.

SUMMARY: Relating to newborn or infant testing for congenital cytomegalovirus.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to newborn or infant testing for congenital cytomegalovirus. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. The heading to Section 47.003, Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 47.003. NEWBORN OR INFANT HEARING SCREENING, TRACKING, AND INTERVENTION PROGRAM;TESTING FOR CONGENITAL CYTOMEGALOVIRUS.SECTION 2. Section 47.003, Health and Safety Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a), (a-1), and (c) and adding Subsection (g) to read as follows: (a) A birthing facility, through a program certified by the department under Section 47.004, shall perform, either directly or through a referral to another program certified under that section, a hearing screening for the identification of hearing loss and a test for congenital cytomegalovirus on each newborn or infant born at the facility before the newborn or infant is discharged from the facility unless: (1) the parent declines the screening or test;(2) the newborn or infant is transferred to another facility before the screening or test is performed; (3) the screening or test has previously been completed; or (4) the newborn was discharged from the birthing facility not more than 10 hours after birth and a referral for the newborn was made to a program certified under Section 47.004 at another birthing facility or operated by a physician or other health care provider. (a-1) The birthing facility shall inform the parents during admission that: (1) the facility is required by law to:(A) screen a newborn or infant for hearing loss;and (B) conduct a test for congenital cytomegalovirus;and (2) the parents may decline both the screening and the test required under Subdivision (1).(c) Subject to Section 47.008, the department shall maintain data and information on each newborn or infant who receives a hearing screening or congenital cytomegalovirus test under Subsection (a). (g) In this section, "congenital cytomegalovirus" has the meaning assigned by Section 46.001. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.