Bill

SB 748

86(R) - 2019
Senate Health & Human Services
House Public Health
Senate Health & Human Services
House Public Health

Vote Recommendation

Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Lois Kolkhorst

Sponsor(s)

Sarah Davis

Co-Sponsor(s)

Senfronia Thompson

Bill Caption

Relating to newborn screening and the newborn screening preservation account.

Fiscal Notes

The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined at this time because the amount of transfers to the Newborn Screening Preservation Account depend on appropriations decisions and the adoption of new rules. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill. 

Bill Analysis

SB 748 would require, rather than authorize, the executive commissioner of the Heath and Human Services Commission to establish the amounts charged for newborn screening fees and to ensure that the fees are sufficient to cover the costs of performing the screening. Additionally, SB 748 would create a dedicated account inside general revenue for newborn screenings. Money in the account would only be allowed to be appropriated to the department and only for the purpose of carrying out the newborn screening program. Each year the comptroller would be required to transfer to the account any unexpended and unencumbered money from Medicaid reimbursements collected by the Department of State Health Services for newborn screenings the previous fiscal  year. 

The bill was amended in committee to authorize the Midland County Hospital District to adopt, change the rate of, or abolish a sales and use tax at an election held in the district. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

This legislation primarily revises the administration of an existing program. We remain neutral on SB 748.