(a) On or before June 30, 2002, the department shall adopt the protocol developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics to optimally detect the presence of treatable causes of blindness in infants by two months of age. If a protocol is not developed on or before June 30, 2002, the department, in consultation with representatives of the Newborn Eye Pathology Task Force, shall establish a protocol to optimally detect the presence of treatable causes of blindness in infants by two months of age on or before January 1, 2003.
(b) If the American Academy of Pediatrics develops a protocol to optimally detect the presence of treatable causes of blindness by two months of age after the adoption of the protocol developed by the department, the department shall conform its protocol to the protocol adopted by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
(c) Nothing in the section shall be construed to supersede the clinical judgment of the licensed health care provider.
(d) Any screening examination recommended pursuant to subdivision (a) shall not be conducted on a newborn if a parent or guardian of the newborn objects to the examination on the grounds that the examination conflicts with the religious beliefs or practices of the parent or guardian.
(Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 325, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2001.)