Code of Virginia - Title 32.1 Health - Section 32.1-65 Certain newborn screening required

§ 32.1-65. Certain newborn screening required

In order to prevent mental retardation and permanent disability or death, every infant who is born in the Commonwealth shall be subjected to screening tests for various disorders consistent with, but not necessarily identical to, the uniform condition panel recommended by the American College of Medical Genetics in its report, Newborn Screening: Toward a Uniform Screening Panel and System, that was produced for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Further, upon the issuance of guidance for states' newborn screening programs by the federal Department of Health and Human Services, every infant who is born in the Commonwealth shall be screened for a panel of disorders consistent with, but not necessarily identical to, the federal guidance document.

Any infant whose parent or guardian objects thereto on the grounds that such tests conflict with his religious practices or tenets shall not be required to receive such screening tests.

The physician or certified nurse midwife in charge of the infant's care after delivery shall cause such tests to be performed. The screening tests shall be performed by the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services or any other laboratory the Department of Health has contracted with to provide this service.

The program for screening infants for sickle cell diseases shall be conducted in addition to the programs provided for in Article 8 (§ 32.1-68 et seq.) of this chapter.

(Code 1950, §§ 32-112.1, 32-112.9; 1966, c. 179; 1979, c. 711; 1983, c. 582; 1986, c. 172; 1988, c. 97; 1992, cc. 747, 873; 2001, c. 255; 2002, c. 440; 2004, c. 760; 2005, cc. 717, 721.)

Sections:  Previous  32.1-60  32.1-61  32.1-62  32.1-63  32.1-64  32.1-64.1  32.1-64.2  32.1-65  32.1-66  32.1-67  32.1-67.1  32.1-68  32.1-69  32.1-69.1  32.1-69.1:1  Next

Last modified: April 16, 2009