Chapter 359
2021 -- S 0234 SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 07/12/2021

A N   A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- NEWBORN SCREENING PROGRAM

Introduced By: Senators Lawson, Miller, Cano, Goldin, Valverde, Quezada, Bell, DiMario, and Murray

Date Introduced: February 10, 2021

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Section 23-13-14 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-13 entitled "Maternal
and Child Health Services for Children with Special Health Care Needs" is hereby amended to read
as follows:
     23-13-14. Newborn screening program.
     (a) The physician attending a newborn child shall cause that child to be subject to newborn
screening tests for metabolic, endocrine, and hemoglobinopathy disorders, and other conditions for
which there is a medical benefit to the early detection and treatment of the disorder, and an
assessment for developmental risk. The department of health shall make rules and regulations
pertaining to screenings, diagnostic, and treatment services as accepted medical practice shall
indicate. Such The rules and regulations shall include, at a minimum, newborn screening tests for
all disorders and conditions for which there is a medical benefit to the early detection and treatment
of the disorder or condition listed in the current version of the federal Recommended Uniform
Screening Panel (RUSP) issued by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, and shall include newborn screening tests for all new disorders or conditions for which
there is a medical benefit to the early detection and treatment of the disorder or condition added to
the federal RUSP within two (2) years after the disorder or condition is added; provided, if the
director of health determines in writing that it is not practicable to include a new disorder or
condition within two (2) years, the time period may be extended for the shortest amount of time
necessary, as determined by the director. The provisions of this section shall not apply if the parents
of the child object to the tests on the grounds that those tests conflict with their religious tenets and
practices.
     (b) In addition, the department of health is authorized to establish by rule and regulation a
reasonable fee structure for the newborn screening and disease control program, which that which
includes but is not limited to, screening, diagnostic, and treatment services. The program shall be
a covered benefit and be reimbursable by all health insurers, as defined in § 27-38.2-2(4), providing
health insurance coverage in Rhode Island except for supplemental policies which that only
provide coverage for specific diseases, hospital indemnity Medicare supplements, or other
supplemental policies. The department of human services shall pay for the program where the
patient is eligible for medical assistance under the provisions of chapter 8 of title 40. The charges
for the program shall be borne by the hospitals or other health-care healthcare facilities where
births occur in the absence of a third-party payor. Nothing in this section shall preclude the hospital
or health care healthcare facility from billing the patient directly.
     (c) There is created within the general fund a restricted receipt account to be known as the
"newborn screening account" to implement the provisions of §§ 23-13-13 and § 23-13-14. All funds
received pursuant to §§ 23-13-13 and § 23-13-14 shall be deposited in the account. Funding
dedicated exclusively to implement the provisions of §§ 23-13-13 and § 23-13-14 and received by
the department of health from sources other than those identified in §§ 23-13-13 and § 23-13-14
may also be deposited in the newborn screening account. The general treasurer is authorized and
directed to draw his or her orders on the account upon receipt of properly authenticated vouchers
from the department of health.
     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2022.
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LC001548/SUB A
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