bill requiring newborn testing for congenital cytomegalovirus

The text as introduced · 345 words

89R16854 EAS-F

By: Shofner
H.B. No. 4882

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to newborn or infant testing for congenital

cytomegalovirus.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. The heading to Section 47.003, Health and Safety

Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 47.003. NEWBORN OR INFANT HEARING SCREENING, TRACKING,

AND INTERVENTION PROGRAM ; TESTING FOR CONGENITAL CYTOMEGALOVIRUS .

SECTION 2. Section 47.003, Health and Safety Code, is

amended by amending Subsections (a), (a-1), and (c) and adding

Subsection (g) to read as follows:

(a) A birthing facility, through a program certified by the

department under Section 47.004, shall perform, either directly or

through a referral to another program certified under that section,

a hearing screening for the identification of hearing loss and a

test for congenital cytomegalovirus on each newborn or infant born

at the facility before the newborn or infant is discharged from the

facility unless:

(1) the parent declines the screening or test ;

(2) the newborn or infant is transferred to another

facility before the screening or test is performed;

(3) the screening or 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.

(a-1) The birthing facility shall inform the parents during

admission that:

(1) the facility is required by law to :

(A) screen a newborn or infant for hearing loss ;

and

(B) conduct a test for congenital

cytomegalovirus ; and

(2) the parents may decline both the screening and the

test required under Subdivision (1) .

(c) Subject to Section 47.008, the department shall

maintain data and information on each newborn or infant who

receives a hearing screening or congenital cytomegalovirus test

under Subsection (a).

(g) In this section, "congenital cytomegalovirus" has the

meaning assigned by Section 46.001.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.