Committee introduces bill to move newborn screening rules into Idaho code; sponsor says no new requirements added

Sen. Blaylock told the Senate Health and Welfare Committee that RS31799C1 would transfer authority and oversight of newborn screening requirements from the Department of Health and Welfare to the legislature by codifying the tests in Idaho statute. The sponsor said the proposal reflects rules the committee reviewed last week and does not add new requirements for health providers.

“This is a requirement that has been in place for health providers since 1921,” Sen. Blaylock said, adding that terminology and specific tests have evolved but the “core practices remain unchanged.” He said the bill would repeal certain code sections and eliminate agency rules while bringing the tests into Idaho code to give the legislature greater oversight.

Sen. Harris moved to introduce RS31799C1 and send it to print; Sen. Shippey seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote.

According to Blaylock’s description, the RS would repeal six sections of Idaho code and eliminate seven pages of agency rules; the sponsor said the changes govern newborn screening tests conducted on infants born in Idaho and that the legislation “does not introduce new requirements or impose substantial changes.” No public comment or committee debate about substantive changes was recorded in the excerpt.

The bill will be printed and added to the committee’s future calendar for further consideration.