HB 1419 -- BLOOD TESTS

Under current law the person in attendance at the birth of the
child is given the responsibility for administering hepatitis B
vaccine and gamma globulin specific to hepatitis B, or HBIG,
within 12 hours of birth to the newborn child of a mother who
has tested positive for hepatitis B.  This bill changes that
responsibility to the physician or person who professionally
undertakes the care of the newborn child.

The bill also requires administration of the hepatitis B vaccine
and gammaglobulin specific for hepatitis B, or HBIG, to the
newborn as soon as possible when test results on the mother are
not known within 12 hours of birth.

Currently blood tests for hepatitis B, syphilis, and other
treatable diseases and metabolic disorders are made free of
charge by the Department of Health.  The bill repeals this
provision and requires that no one be denied these tests because
of inability to pay.

HB 1419 -- BLOOD TESTS (Riback-Wilson)

This bill requires prenatal blood tests of pregnant women to
screen for Hepatitis B.  Mothers who test positively or those
whose results are unknown within 12 hours will be vaccinated.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

HB 1419 -- BLOOD TESTS

CO-SPONSORS:  Riback-Wilson, Holand

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee
on Public Health and Safety by a vote of 15 to 0.

This bill requires prenatal blood tests of pregnant women to
screen for Hepatitis B.  Mothers who test positively or those
whose results are unknown within 12 hours will be vaccinated.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that this is the same bill as was
presented and voted out of this committee last year.  This bill
makes the statutory language consistent with the current
practice.  The purpose of this legislation is to protect the
children of Hepatitis B mothers.  Therefore, prenatal testing of
women is required.  If no prenatal care is performed then these
tests will take place when the woman is presented for delivery.
A clarification makes the person taking care of the health of
the child responsible for the vaccination.  The Department of
Health is the payer of last resort.  The fiscal note is $0
because this codifies current practice.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Riback-Wilson and
Holand; and Department of Health.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Harolyn Light, Legislative Analyst

HB 1419 -- Tests for Hepatitis

Co-Sponsors:  Wilson, Holand

This bill requires prenatal blood tests of pregnant women to
screen for Hepatitis B.  Mothers who test positively or those
whose results are unknown within 12 hours will be vaccinated.