24FA3A759F94773787258282006BDCDC Hearing Summary

Senators Gardner and Moreno, co-prime bill sponsors, presented House Bill 18-1006.  The bill makes several changes to newborn screening for genetic and metabolic diseases and hearing loss conducted and monitored by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).  Among the various changes for newborn disease screening, the bill:

• specifies that the CDPHE may, as it deems appropriate, add newborn screening for new conditions listed on the recommended uniform screening panel created by the federal Department of Health and Human Services;
• requires that screening laboratories be open at least six days per week; and
• expands the authority of the CDPHE to set fees to cover the direct and indirect costs of newborn screening, including follow-up services.

For newborn hearing loss screening, the bill:

• allows the CDPHE to charge a fee for hearing loss screening;
• specifies that the hearing loss screening fee must be set to cover the direct and indirect costs of the program, as well as follow-up services and supports;
• creates a new cash fund for this hearing loss screening fee revenue;
• requires the CDPHE to procure a new information technology system to support the newborn hearing loss screening;
• requires the CDPHE to establish rules on reporting hearing screening results by birthing facilities and other types of facilities and providers, the input of hearing screening results into electronic medical records, and the delivery of follow-up services for newborns that fail or miss a hearing screening;
• specifies additional requirements for, and adds two members to, the existing Hearing in Newborn Infants Advisory Committee; and
• updates terminology and removes several obsolete provisions.

Greg Sobetski, Colorado Legislative Council Staff, responded to questions from the committee about the fiscal note.

Committee discussion followed.

Senator Neville recessed the meeting.

Senator Neville reconvened the meeting.