S99 - Appropriations Act of 2018. (SL 2018-5)

Overview: Sec. 11E.1 of S.L. 2018-5 pertains to newborn screening and amends G.S. 130A-125 as follows:

• Requires the Commission for Public Health to ensure that each condition listed on the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP) is included in the Newborn Screening Program.
• Exempts the Commission from rule making with respect to adding screening tests for Pompe disease, Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I (MPS I), and X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD)
• Increases the screening fee from $44 to $128 and requires that $31 of each fee go to the newly established nonreverting Newborn Screening Equipment Replacement and Acquisition Fund to be used to purchase or replace laboratory instruments, equipment, and information technology systems for the Newborn Screening Program.
• Requires an annual report by the Department of Health and Human Services to the House Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, and the Fiscal Research Division, on the Newborn Screening Program with regard to: services funded, budget and expenditures, fees and receipts, anticipated additions to the RUSP and any needs associated with these additions; the Fund balance; and other information relevant to maintain the Newborn Screening Program as a fee-supported program. The first report must be submitted by March 1, 2019, and continue to be submitted annually on March 1.

This section became effective July 1, 2018, and the newly authorized fee applies to laboratory tests performed on or after that date.