Newborn screening program;include cytomegalovirus (CMV) in conditions tested for.

HB 978 adds cytomegalovirus (CMV) to the list of conditions screened for in Mississippi's comprehensive newborn screening program. The bill directly affects all newborns in Mississippi by expanding routine screening to detect CMV, which can cause hearing loss and developmental delays if untreated. It amends existing law to require the State Department of Health to include CMV in the screening panel, following the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP) guidelines. This change ensures CMV is tested for alongside conditions like hypothyroidism and PKU, with the State Board of Health responsible for implementing the update within three years of RUSP inclusion.