Legislation: Laws, Bills and Recommedations
Two states currently have pulse oximetry laws while several other states have current or previous laws. At the federal level, pulse oximetry has been recommended for addition to the uniform newborn panel. State advocacy work is needed to make sure that every state follows that recommendation.
Mentioning these efforts when writing or speaking to lawmakers is helpful. Also consider attaching copies of the bill language from other states as examples for your legislator. Check the Critical Congenital Heart Disease Screening Map for further information about efforts in each state.
Federal Recommendation
The Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Heritable Diseases in Newborn and Children recommended in October 2010 that pulse oximetry screened for CHD be added to the uniform newborn panel.
In April 2011, Secretary Kathleen Sebelius answered that recommendation and gave the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Newborn and Child Screening 90 days to further review any evidence gaps and develop a plan for implementation.
If Secretary Sebelius recommends pulse ox for CCHD, some states will undoubtedly introduce programs without legislation, such is the case in Indiana, where pulse oximetry screening was funded and the Department of Health is developing a program.
In September, 2011, Secretary Sebelius accepted that recommendation for adoption of pulse oximetry screening to the universal newborn panel. This doesn’t mean that states must start screening, but does set up federal support.
States with Laws
Maryland
New Jersey
Indiana
As part of House Act 1001, Indiana passed pulse oximetry screening.
Pulse oximetry screening is now included in the Indiana code.
The original bill language.
Tennessee
This state introduced bills in the House and Senate, and the governor signed pulse ox into law April, 2012.
West Virginia
HB 4327 was introduced in January 2012 and signed into law April 2012.
States with Pilot Programs
Minnesota
A pilot program in this state has been under for the past few years, expanding pulse oximetry screening in hospitals.
States with Current Bills
Connecticut
Bill 56. An act to require pulse oximetry screening on newborns.
California
Assembly Bill 1731 introduced 2/16/2012. Track the bill’s history here.
Alabama
Senate bill 39 was introduced 2/7/2012
New Hampshire
A bill requiring pulse oximetry screening was introduced in December 2011.
Pennsylvania
The James Matthew Mannix Bill was introduced in the State Senate in July 2011. A House Bill was introduced in March, 2012.
Missouri
Chloe’s Law was introduced in 2010 and 2011, and also 2012.
New York
House Bill
Georgia and Nebraska have study bills.
Minnesota
States with Previous Bills
Nebraska
Bill (Introduced thanks to the advocate work of the Klein family)
Virginia
House Bill 399 passed the House and Senate.
Mississippi
Wisconsin
A bill was introduced on 2/23/2012.
Florida
Florida introduced SB 1052 in December 2011.
Also refer to the Pulse Ox Advocacy Facebook page for breaking news.
