26:2-110 Findings, declarations relative to screening for disorders in newborn infants.

1. The Legislature finds and declares that:

a. Newborn screening is an essential public health activity that strives to screen every newborn infant for a variety of congenital disorders, which, if not detected and managed early, can result in significant morbidity, mortality, and disability. The State's newborn screening system shall be a coordinated and comprehensive effort to provide education, screening, follow-up, diagnosis, treatment and management, and program evaluation activities ;

b. Ongoing advances in technologies and treatment modalities make it possible to screen newborn infants for a wide array of biochemical disorders. It is imperative that the State adjust its Newborn Screening Program to incorporate these biochemical disorders to ensure that the program remains at the forefront of these advances; and

c. It is the intent of this act to protect the health and quality of life of newborn infants born in this State by enhancing the capacity to screen for congenital disorders and by providing: all newborn infants with screens for certain conditions and with appropriate referrals and early medical intervention when warranted; and newborn data collection is standardized, and conditions detected by newborn screening are tracked and monitored. Further, information on newborn screening and conditions for which a newborn can be screened should be readily accessible, current, and understandable to both health care providers and parents or guardians.

L.1977, c.321, s.1; amended 1981, c.357, s.2; 1988, c.24, s.2; 2019, c.296, s.1.