HARRY HUGHES, Governor

2057

18-501.

THE INTENT OF THIS SUBTITLE IS:

(1)  TO EDUCATE PARENTS AND PHYSICIANS REGARDING
HOMOZYGOUS SICKLE CELL ANEMIA OR VARIANTS; AND

(2)  TO MONITOR EACH AFFECTED INFANT'S HEALTH IN THAT
REGARD.

18-502.

(A)  AFTER SECURING THE WRITTEN APPROVAL OF ONE OF THE
PARENTS OR GUARDIAN OF AN INFANT AT RISK, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL
ADMINISTER A TEST FOR SICKLE CELL ANEMIA OR RELATED DISEASES THE
PERSON IN CHARGE OF THE INSTITUTION IN WHICH THE INFANT IS BORN,
OR THE PERSON WHO IS REQUIRED TO PREPARE AND REGISTER THE
CERTIFICATE OF BIRTH FOR AN INFANT BORN OUTSIDE AN INSTITUTION,
SHALL HAVE ADMINISTERED A TEST FOR SICKLE CELL ANEMIA TO THE
INFANT AT RISK.

(B)  IN ADDITION TO  TESTING, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL UNDERTAKE
A PRENATAL EDUCATION    PROGRAM FOR PREGNANT FEMALES IN THE
POPULATION GROUP AT RISK  ON THE SUBJECT OF SICKLE CELL ANEMIA AND
RELATED DISEASES.

18-503.

(A)  ON DETERMINATION OF THE PRESENCE OF SICKLE CELL ANEMIA,
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL:

(1)  NOTIFY IN WRITING:

(I)  THE PHYSICIAN OF RECORD OR THE INSTITUTION
AT WHICH THE CHILD IS BORN; AND

(II)  THE PARENT OR PARENTS OR GUARDIAN OF THE
INFANT; AND

(2) EDUCATE THE PARENTS OF THE INFANT CONCERNING
SICKLE CELL ANEMIA.

(2) PROVIDE THE PARENTS OR GUARDIAN OF THE INFANT AND
THE PHYSICIAN OF RECORD WITH EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS; AND

(3) OFFER REFERRAL FOR GENETIC COUNSELING.

(B)  WITHIN 2 MONTHS AFTER A POSITIVE FINDING OF SICKLE
HEMOGLOBIN CELL ANEMIA, A CONFIRMATORY TEST SHALL BE ADMINISTERED
AND THE RESULTS OF THIS TEST SHALL BE REPORTED TO THE DEPARTMENT.

18-504.

(A) THE DEPARTMENT AND ALL PERSONS SHALL KEEP STRICTLY
CONFIDENTIAL MAINTAIN AND TREAT ALL INFORMATION DERIVED FROM