NY A08671

Requires hospitals and institutions caring for infants 28 days or younger to screen all newborns for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) through toxicological testing of meconium or urine.

Adds NAS screening to the list of mandatory newborn screenings under Public Health Law § 2500-a, alongside existing tests for phenylketonuria, sickle cell disease, hypothyroidism, and critical congenital heart defects.

Directs the Department of Health commissioner to establish regulations governing the timing and manner of NAS testing, result recording, tracking, follow-up, and educational activities.

Requires hospitals to provide parents or guardians with information describing the purposes of NAS screening requirements.

Takes effect 180 days after enactment, with authority for the commissioner to promulgate necessary rules immediately upon passage.