Today, HB 109 and SB 242 passed out of the Maryland General Assembly. This newborn screening legislation implements a two-year timeline in which screening must begin for new conditions added to the federal Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP).
“As new treatments and new diagnostic tests are developed each year, an increasing number of disease communities will be able to utilize newborn screening to deliver life-saving diagnosis early in life. RUSP alignment legislation ensures that Maryland will keep up with those developments,” said Annie Kennedy, EveryLife Foundation Chief of Policy, Advocacy, and Patient Engagement. “We are grateful for the Maryland General Assembly for passing this impactful legislation that will ensure Maryland remains a leading state for newborn screening.”
Thank you to Maryland State Delegate Emily Shetty and Senator Steve Hershey for their leadership of this key legislation that will help save the lives of more than 200 Maryland babies annually.
Thank you to the 60 patient advocacy organizations who signed our letter of support for the legislation and to all those who weighed in with their legislators to ensure they knew the importance of timely implementation of newborn screening conditions.
