HB77 - Zachary Thomas Newborn Screening Act

• Designates the bill as the Zachary Thomas Newborn Screening Act and establishes legislative findings supporting expanded newborn screening in Alabama.

• Requires newborns with known family history of a disease to be tested for that disease if it can be diagnosed at birth.

• Mandates the Alabama State Board of Health adopt rules to include conditions from the federal Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP) on Alabama's Newborn Screening Panel.

• Establishes timeline for adding RUSP-approved conditions: within 36 months of federal approval for new conditions, and by October 1, 2027 for conditions approved prior to January 1, 2024.

• Conditions testing for heritable diseases on availability of funding and workforce in the State Laboratory, and requires the board to provide written notice explaining any delays in adding approved conditions.

• Becomes effective October 1, 2024.