What's happening
This bill requires hepatitis C testing for all newborns in New York and directs the health commissioner to establish related regulations.
Why it matters
Early detection of hepatitis C in newborns could lead to timely intervention and treatment. , potentially preventing serious long-term health complications for affected children.
The bill addresses gaps in current maternal and child health practices. by mandating newborn testing, which may help identify cases that would otherwise go undetected—especially important given the rise of hepatitis C among women of childbearing age.
Requiring the health commissioner to create comprehensive regulations ensures a standardized approach. to testing, follow-up care, and counseling, reducing disparities and confusion across hospitals and clinics.
By including education and tracking components, the law aims to improve public health outcomes. not just for infants but also for their mothers, supporting a more holistic response to hepatitis C transmission within families.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Test Newborns for Hepatitis C
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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History
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Test Newborns for Hepatitis C
In Assembly Committee · Health · Sponsor Alicia Hyndman
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4553
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 14, 2019
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring hepatitis C virus testing of newborns
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 2500-l to read as follows:
§ 2500-l. Hepatitis C Virus (HCV); testing of newborns. 1. In order to improve the health outcomes of newborns, and to improve access to care and treatment for newborns infected with or exposed to Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and their mothers, the commissioner shall establish a comprehensive program for the testing of newborns for the presence of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and/or the presence of antibodies to such virus.
2. The commissioner shall promulgate regulations governing the implementation of the program required pursuant to subdivision one of this section, including the administration of testing, counseling, tracking, disclosure of test results pursuant to section twenty-seven hundred eighty-two of this chapter, follow-up reviews, and educational activities relating to such testing.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10640-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring hepatitis C virus testing of newborns
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends the public health law by adding a new section 2500-1 that creates a program for the testing of newborns for the presence of the hepatitis C virus (HCV).
Justification
As more available treatments for Hepatitis C become available it is important to screen at the earliest age possible. Over 70 of those living with Hepatitis C are unaware that they are infected because HCV is often asymptomatic.
The new testing mandates will allow mothers and their children access to early detection of the Hepatitis C virus. By mandating testing of the child there is an added benefit of testing the mother. With over 300,000 New Yorkers living with Hepatitis C, early detection is essential.
Prior legislative history
2017-18: S3465 - Referred to Health
2015-2016: S.1816/A.1452 - Referred to Health
2013-2014: S.4871 - Referred to Health
2011-2012: A.9620 - Referred to Health
Fiscal implications for state
To be determined.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.