BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 131

79R2363 YDB-D                                                                                                             By: Nelson

                                                                                                               Health and Human Services

                                                                                                                                                3/23/05

As Filed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

In recent years, medical research has made substantial advances in the detection and treatment of metabolic disorders, which, if not treated early in life, can cause severe mental retardation, illness, or death.  The newborn screening program at the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is designed to identify infants with treatable disorders so that they can receive the necessary care.

Currently, Texas hospitals screen newborns for eight disorders at birth.  As proposed, S.B. 131 increases the number of disorders screened at birth by requiring DSHS to lease nine tandem mass spectrometers and hire additional employees to expand the newborn screening program.  The use of tandem mass spectrometers could allow for the screening of 27 of the 29 disorders recommended for screening by the American College of Medical Genetics. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

[While the statutory reference in this bill is to the Texas Department of Health (TDH), the following amendments affect the Department of State Health Services, as the successor agency to TDH.]

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 33.004, as follows:

Sec. 33.004.  EQUIPMENT AND EMPLOYEES.  Requires the Texas Department of Health to lease equipment, including tandem mass spectrometers, and hire employees necessary to administer this chapter. 

SECTION 2.  Requires the Department of State Health Services to lease nine tandem mass spectrometers and employ full-time employees to expand the newborn screening program not later than March 1, 2006. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 2005.