Public Health - Newborn Screening Program - Metachromatic Leukodystrophy

HB 1537 requires Maryland’s newborn screening program to test for metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), a rare genetic disorder affecting nerve function. The bill adds MLD to the list of conditions screened for at birth under Maryland law, directly affecting all newborns in the state. The Maryland Department of Health must include MLD screening in its public health laboratory system and coordinate follow-up care for infants with positive results. This aligns with federal recommendations and updates the state’s mandatory newborn screening program without altering existing fee structures or procedural timelines.