West Virginia HB5547 mandates parental consent for newborn genetic screening and retention of blood spots and results.

West Virginia HB5547 establishes strict guidelines for newborn genetic screening, requiring express, separate, written, voluntary, informed consent from parents or guardians before any screening can occur. Blood spots and test results must be destroyed within three weeks unless consent is given for retention. The consent form must use easy-to-understand language and cannot threaten parents or claim harm to the child for refusal. The bill also mandates that health care providers inform parents about the option to opt out of testing during each trimester of pregnancy.

West Virginia HB5547 mandates parental consent for newborn genetic screening and retention of blood spots and results.

West Virginia HB5547 establishes strict guidelines for newborn genetic screening, requiring express, separate, written, voluntary, informed consent from parents or guardians before any screening can occur. Blood spots and test results must be destroyed within three weeks unless consent is given for retention. The consent form must use easy-to-understand language and cannot threaten parents or claim harm to the child for refusal. The bill also mandates that health care providers inform parents about the option to opt out of testing during each trimester of pregnancy.