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OLR Bill Analysis
HB 6821
AN ACT CONCERNING CYTOMEGALOVIRUS.
SUMMARY
This bill requires all health care institutions caring for newborn
infants to test each newborn for cytomegalovirus (CMV), instead of only
those who fail a newborn hearing screening, as under current law. By
law, this testing must be done as soon as it is medically appropriate,
unless the parents object on religious grounds.
Like existing law that requires these institutions to test newborn
infants for cystic fibrosis and critical congenital heart disease, the test for
CMV is not part of the state’s newborn screening program for genetic
and metabolic disorders.
The bill also requires the Department of Public Health, by January 1,
2024, to distribute educational materials on CMV symptoms, diagnosis,
and treatment to the following:
1. each gynecologist, obstetrician, and pediatrician in the state to
provide to their pregnant and postpartum patients and
2. the Office of Early Childhood to distribute to child care centers
and group and family child care homes to provide to parents or
guardians of newborns they care for.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage, except the provision on CMV
newborn screening takes effect on October 1, 2023.
BACKGROUND
Cytomegalovirus
CMV is a type of herpesvirus, which places it in a group with
chickenpox, shingles, and mononucleosis. Although usually harmless in 2023HB-06821-R000171-BA.DOCX
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healthy adults and children, CMV in newborns can lead to hearing loss
or developmental disabilities. Transmission from mother to fetus occurs
during pregnancy.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Public Health Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 38 Nay 0 (03/10/2023)