THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2194
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that congenital heart defects are structural abnormalities of the heart that are present at birth and are the number one killer of infants with birth defects.  Congenital heart defects range in severity from simple problems, such as holes between chambers of the heart, to severe malformations, such as the complete absence of one or more chambers or valves.  Some congenital heart defects can cause severe or life-threatening symptoms that require intervention within the first days of life.

     Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive test that estimates the percentage of hemoglobin in blood that is saturated with oxygen.  When performed on newborns in birthing facilities, pulse oximetry is effective at detecting critical, life-threatening congenital heart defects, which otherwise go undetected by current screening methods.  The legislature finds that many newborn lives could potentially be saved by earlier detection and treatment of congenital heart defects if birthing facilities in the State were required to perform this simple, non-invasive newborn screening in conjunction with current congenital heart disease screening methods.

     The purpose of this Act is to require birthing facilities to perform a pulse oximetry screening on every newborn in its care prior to discharge.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 321, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§321‑   Newborn pulse oximetry screening. (a)  A birthing facility shall perform a pulse oximetry test for critical congenital heart defects, as well as other procedures as specified by the guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics, on every newborn in its care prior to discharge from the birthing facility.

(b)  This section shall not apply if the parents, guardians, or other persons having custody or control of the child object thereto on the grounds that the tests conflict with their religious tenets and beliefs and written objection is made a part of the infant's medical record.

(c)  For the purposes of the section, "birthing facility" means an inpatient or ambulatory health care facility licensed by the department of health that provides birthing and newborn care services."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for a program for newborn critical congenital heart defect screening using pulse oximetry.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2014.

Report Title:

Pulse Oximetry Screening; Congenital Heart Defects; Birthing Facilities; Newborns; Appropriation

Description:

Requires birthing facilities to perform a pulse oximetry test to screen for critical congenital heart defects, as well as other procedures as specified by the guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics, on every newborn in its care prior to discharge from the facility, with certain exceptions.  Makes an appropriation.  (SD1)

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