Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 20 - PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE (§§ 20-2-101 — 20-86-113) › Subtitle 2 - HEALTH AND SAFETY (§§ 20-6-101 — 20-38-113) › Chapter 15 - DISEASE AND DISEASE PREVENTION GENERALLY (§§ 20-15-101 — 20-15-2407) › Subchapter 3 - PHENYLKETONURIA, HYPOTHYROIDISM, AND SICKLE-CELL ANEMIA (§§ 20-15-301 — 20-15-304) › Section 20-15-302 - Testing of newborn infants

(a)
(1)
(A)
There is created an advance universal newborn screening program to be administered by the Department of Health.
(B)
(i)
All newborn infants shall be tested for core medical conditions as listed in the recommended uniform screening panel recommended by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, in order to provide appropriate newborn screening guidelines to protect the health and welfare of newborns.
(ii)
For each core medical condition added to the list in the recommended uniform screening panel by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Department of Health or its designee, in accordance with §
20-15-304
, shall begin testing for the newly added core medical conditions upon approval of the appropriation of funding by the General Assembly or funding under §
20-15-304
, if required, or within thirty-six (36) months upon introduction to the recommended uniform screening panel recommended by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(2)
(A)
Medicaid shall reimburse the hospital that performs the tests required under subdivision (a)(1) of this section for the cost of the tests.
(B)
The reimbursement shall be in addition to the hospital's per diem payments for the newborn infant.
(b)
All positive test results shall be sent immediately to the Department of Health.
(c)
(1)
The Department of Health shall establish and maintain a program of reviewing and following up on positive cases so that measures may be taken to support early diagnosis, treatment, and services for healthy development and prevent disability or morbidity.
(2)
(A)
Information on newborn infants and their families compiled under this section may be used by the Department of Health and persons or public or private entities designated by the Department of Health.
(B)
Information used under subdivision (c)(2)(A) of this section may not refer to or disclose the identity of any person.
(3)
All materials, data, and information received by the Department of Health are confidential and are not subject to examination or disclosure as public information under the Freedom of Information Act of 1967, §
25-19-101
et seq.
(d)
(1)
The Department of Health shall conduct an intensive educational and training program among physicians, hospitals, public health nurses, and the public concerning the conditions.
(2)
The program shall include information concerning:
(A)
The nature of the conditions;
(B)
Testing for the detection of these conditions; and
(C)
Treatment modalities for these conditions.
(e)
The provisions of this section shall not apply if the parents or legal guardian of a newborn infant object to the testing on medical, religious, or philosophical grounds.
Amended by Act 2023, No. 490,§ 2, eff. 8/1/2023.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 1035,§ 13, eff. 7/24/2019.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 58,§ 1, eff. 7/24/2019.
Amended by Act 2013, No. 428,§ 1, eff. 8/16/2013.
Acts 1967, No. 192, § 1; 1981, No. 481, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, § 82-625; Acts 1987, No. 573, § 1; 1995, No. 113, § 1; 2003, No. 1293, § 1; 2005, No. 1931, § 1.
Act 2023, No. 490 provides this act shall be known and may be cited as the "Universal Newborn Screening Act".