Committee advances bill to add Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening

The House Health Committee unanimously reported House Bill 17 15, which would add Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) to Pennsylvania’s mandatory newborn screening panel.

Representative Flood told the committee that DMD is a rare and severe genetic disorder that mainly affects boys but can also involve carrier girls, causes progressive muscle loss and can shorten life expectancy. Flood said early diagnosis is “crucial” and noted there are currently “8 FDA approved treatments for DMD,” arguing newborn screening would connect children to therapies and clinical trials sooner.

Chair Rapp and other members thanked Representative Flood and encouraged support, noting the committee’s earlier informational meeting had provided useful background. With no negative votes recorded in the transcript, the committee reported the bill unanimously.

The transcript records committee support and the unanimous report but does not include a roll-call tally or a Department of Health fiscal estimate for this bill.