A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled “Public health code,” by amending section 5431 (MCL 333.5431), as amended by 2002 PA 691, and by adding section 5433.
Senate Bill No. 953 proposes amendments to the Public Health Code (1978 PA 368) by modifying section 5431 and adding section 5433. The bill mandates that health professionals responsible for the care of newborns administer tests for a series of conditions, including phenylketonuria, galactosemia, hypothyroidism, and others, with the addition of congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) testing starting March 1, 2026. The bill specifies that informed consent requirements do not apply to these tests, which must be conducted and reported as per departmental guidelines. Positive test results for conditions listed in subsection (1)(a) to (i) must be reported to the infant's parents or guardians, while positive results for cCMV must also be reported to the department.
The legislation allows the department to charge a fee of up to $53.71 for these tests, subject to annual adjustments based on the Detroit Consumer Price Index, with provisions for hardship waivers. It also outlines procedures for the retention and disposal of blood specimens used in testing, permitting their use in medical research under strict confidentiality and compliance with federal regulations. The department is tasked with updating its informational pamphlet to reflect these changes and to include details about the testing program, the importance of retaining blood specimens, and the potential use of these specimens in research.
Additionally, the bill requires health professionals to offer parents the option of drawing an extra blood specimen for future identification purposes, with the cost not exceeding the actual expense of obtaining and preserving the specimen. The bill also mandates that cCMV tests can be conducted using blood spot, saliva, or urine specimens, or other diagnostically equivalent methods as determined by the department.
Section 5433 introduces requirements for health professionals to provide information on cCMV and available treatments to parents if a newborn tests positive for the virus. The department is also directed to develop a public education program on CMV and cCMV, covering incidence, transmission, birth defects, diagnostic methods, and preventive measures. This information must be made available on the department's website and distributed to child care programs, school nurses, health educators, and health professionals involved in the care of pregnant women and infants. The bill defines key terms such as "child care program," "CMV," and "cCMV" to ensure clarity in its implementation.
Introduced
by
Referred to the Committee on Health Policy
