HB 467 Summary

• Requires birthing facilities to perform pulse oximetry testing or other medically accepted oxygen saturation screening on all newborns before discharge to detect critical congenital heart defects.

• Exempts newborns from testing if parents or guardians file written religious objection with the medical record.

• Mandates birthing facilities report screening data to the Department of Health including number of newborns screened, timing of screening, test results, outcomes of failed screenings, and cases where critical defects were detected despite passing results.

• Defines "birthing facility" as any inpatient or ambulatory health care facility licensed by the Department of Health providing birthing and newborn care services.

• Effective July 1, 2015.