HB 15-1281 Summary

• Requires birthing facilities below 7,000 feet elevation to perform pulse oximetry screening on all newborns before discharge to detect critical congenital heart defects, effective January 1, 2016.

• Directs the newborn screening committee to evaluate pulse oximetry testing at facilities 7,000 feet or above elevation and, upon confirmation of appropriate algorithms, requires the state board of health to promulgate rules extending screening to high-elevation facilities.

• Mandates birthing facilities report pulse oximetry screening results to the department of public health and environment, with state board of health authorized to establish implementation rules.

• Defines "birthing facility" as a general hospital or birthing center licensed or certified under statute that provides birthing and newborn care services.

• Appropriates $32,386 from newborn screening and genetic counseling cash funds to the department of public health and environment for 0.2 FTE staff for the 2015-16 fiscal year to support birth defects monitoring and prevention program.