AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE NEWBORN SCREENING PROGRAM.

This Act reduces the time frame to obtain a blood specimen from newborn infants from 72 hours to 24 to 48 hours after birth for screening for metabolic, hematologic, endocrinologic, immunologic and certain structural disorders. It also requires that blood specimens be destroyed once screening and testing is complete including confirmation of any diagnosis. It also provides that the Division of Public Health provide abnormal results only to the physician of record. It also requires all fees collected from newborn screening to be used to defray operating expenses associated with the Newborn Screening Program and for programs to ensure optimal health and development across the lifespan of the maternal and child health population. Finally, the Act makes several technical corrections consistent with the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.