88R11868 EAS-F
 
  By: Johnson of Dallas H.B. No. 4068
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to newborn testing for congenital cytomegalovirus.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 47, Health and Safety Code, is amended by
  adding Section 47.0032 to read as follows:
         Sec. 47.0032.  NEWBORN TESTING FOR CONGENITAL
  CYTOMEGALOVIRUS. (a)  In this section, "congenital
  cytomegalovirus" means human herpesvirus cytomegalovirus acquired
  by a newborn before birth.
         (b)  A birthing facility, through a program certified by the
  department under Section 47.004, shall perform, either directly as
  part of the newborn dried blood spot screening or through a referral
  to another program certified under that section, a test for
  congenital cytomegalovirus on each newborn before the newborn is
  discharged from the facility unless:
               (1)  the parents decline the test;
               (2)  the newborn is transferred to another facility
  before the test is performed;
               (3)  the test has previously been completed; or
               (4)  the newborn was discharged from the birthing
  facility not more than 10 hours after birth and a referral for the
  newborn was made to a program certified under Section 47.004 at
  another birthing facility or operated by a physician or other
  health care provider.
         (c)  The birthing facility shall inform the parents during
  admission that the facility is required by law to conduct a test for
  congenital cytomegalovirus and that the parents may decline the
  test. 
         (d)  Subject to Section 47.008, the department shall
  maintain data and information on each newborn who receives a test
  under Subsection (b).
         (e)  The department shall ensure that the results of the test
  required by Subsection (b) are communicated to:
               (1)  the newborn's parents; and 
               (2)  the newborn's designated physician or health care
  provider.
         (f)  If a newborn receives medical intervention services for
  congenital cytomegalovirus, including pharmaceutical
  intervention, the specialist shall report the results of the
  intervention to the department and, if necessary, inform the
  newborn's designated physician or health care provider.
         (g)  The executive commissioner may adopt rules as necessary
  to implement this section. 
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.