S-1023.1
SENATE BILL 5668
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2025 Regular Session
By Senators Harris, Dozier, and Lovelett
Read first time 02/05/25. Referred to Committee on Health & Long-Term Care.
AN ACT Relating to ensuring timely, efficient, and evidence-based additions to newborn screenings; amending RCW 70.83.020 , 70.83.023 , and 70.83.030 ; reenacting and amending RCW 43.79A.040 and 43.79A.040 ; adding a new section to chapter 70.83 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.70 RCW; creating a new section; providing an effective date; and providing an expiration date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature recognizes the critical importance of newborn screenings in identifying rare genetic and metabolic conditions that can otherwise go undiagnosed, leading to irreversible harm. The legislature recognizes the department of health's newborn screening program currently tests newborns for 32 rare congenital conditions through drops of blood collected within the first days and weeks of birth and funded through a one-time fee generally billed through the birthing facility. Further, the legislature recognizes that the federal recommended uniform screening panel is established and periodically updated through a science-based and deliberative review process by a national committee of experts in newborn screening and rare disease. It is the intent of the legislature that additions to the newborn screening panel be timely, efficient, and evidence-based, and that this be achieved by leveraging the recommended uniform screening panel, ensuring intra-agency coordination, requiring focused feasibility reviews, and ensuring fees collected for newborn screenings are readily available to implement the requirements under chapter 70.83 RCW. Furthermore, the legislature intends to protect the ability of the public to petition for additions to the newborn screening panel outside of the recommended uniform screening panel.
Sec. 2. RCW 70.83.020 and 2014 c 18 s 1 are each amended to read as follows: