An Act To Require Screening for Cytomegalovirus in Newborn Infants
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §1534 is enacted to read:
§ 1534. Cytomegalovirus public education and testing
1. Required testing. A hospital, birthing center or other birthing service shall test newborn infants, or cause them to be tested, for the presence of cytomegalovirus by means of a saliva or urine sample no later than 21 days after birth.
2. Religious objection exemption. The requirement under this section that a newborn infant must be tested for the presence of cytomegalovirus does not apply to a child if the parents of that child object on the grounds that a test conflicts with their religious tenets and practices.
3. Report. A hospital, birthing center or other birthing service that tests a newborn infant pursuant to this section shall report to the department aggregate data on the testing, including, but not limited to, the number of infants born, the number tested for cytomegalovirus, the results of the screening and testing and the type of screening sample used.
4. Public education. The department shall provide public educational resources to inform pregnant women and women who may become pregnant that include, but are not limited to, information regarding the incidence of cytomegalovirus, the transmission of cytomegalovirus during and before pregnancy, birth defects caused by congenital cytomegalovirus, methods of diagnosing congenital cytomegalovirus, available preventive measures and resources for the family of an infant born with congenital cytomegalovirus. The department may solicit and accept the assistance of relevant medical associations or community resources to develop, promote and distribute the public educational resources.
5. Rulemaking. The department may adopt rules to implement this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the testing of all newborn infants for cytomegalovirus by a saliva or urine sample no later than 21 days after birth. The Department of Health and Human Services is required to develop public educational materials regarding cytomegalovirus for pregnant women and women who may become pregnant.