Legislation to Improve and Expand Newborn Screening Unanimously Passes Florida Legislature

On April 28th, legislation to improve and expand newborn screening in Florida (SB 1124/HB 963) unanimously passed the Florida House. As this vote came on the heels of unanimous Senate passage, the bill now proceeds to Governor Rick Scott.

The legislation is designed to require the Florida Genetics and Newborn Screening Advisory Council to review diseases recommended for screening at the federal level. If enacted, once the Florida Council recommends a disease for screening, the Florida Department of Public Health must seek funding for the new screen and implement with an 18 month timeframe.

The Foundation is thankful to the 144 patient organizations which supported the legislation and patient advocates who came to Tallahassee to testify on behalf of the rare disease community.

For more information on our efforts on newborn screening, please visit our newborn screening resource page.

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