Testing of newborn infants.

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  2. Utah Code
  3. Utah Health Code
  4. Family Health Services
  5. Testing of newborn infants.

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Affected by 63I-1-226 on 7/1/2026

Effective 3/22/2018
26-10-6. Testing of newborn infants.
  • (1) Except in the case where parents object on the grounds that they are members of a specified, well-recognized religious organization whose teachings are contrary to the tests required by this section, a newborn infant shall be tested for:
    • (a) phenylketonuria (PKU);
    • (b) other heritable disorders which may result in an intellectual or physical disability or death and for which:
      • (i) a preventive measure or treatment is available; and
      • (ii) there exists a reliable laboratory diagnostic test method;
    • (c)
      • (i) an infant born in a hospital with 100 or more live births annually, hearing loss; and
      • (ii) an infant born in a setting other than a hospital with 100 or more live births annually, hearing loss; and
    • (d) critical congenital heart defects using pulse oximetry.
  • (2) In accordance with Section 26-1-6, the department may charge fees for:
    • (a) materials supplied by the department to conduct tests required under Subsection (1);
    • (b) tests required under Subsection (1) conducted by the department;
    • (c) laboratory analyses by the department of tests conducted under Subsection (1); and
    • (d) the administrative cost of follow-up contacts with the parents or guardians of tested infants.
  • (3) Tests for hearing loss described in Subsection (1) shall be based on one or more methods approved by the Newborn Hearing Screening Committee, including:
    • (a) auditory brainstem response;
    • (b) automated auditory brainstem response; and
    • (c) evoked otoacoustic emissions.
  • (4) Results of tests for hearing loss described in Subsection (1) shall be reported to:
    • (a) the department; and
    • (b) when results of tests for hearing loss under Subsection (1) suggest that additional diagnostic procedures or medical interventions are necessary:
      • (i) a parent or guardian of the infant;
      • (ii) an early intervention program administered by the department in accordance with Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1431 et seq.; and
      • (iii) the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, created in Section 53E-8-201.
  • (5)
    • (a) There is established the Newborn Hearing Screening Committee.
    • (b) The committee shall advise the department on:
      • (i) the validity and cost of newborn infant hearing loss testing procedures; and
      • (ii) rules promulgated by the department to implement this section.
    • (c) The committee shall be composed of at least 11 members appointed by the executive director, including:
      • (i) one representative of the health insurance industry;
      • (ii) one pediatrician;
      • (iii) one family practitioner;
      • (iv) one ear, nose, and throat specialist nominated by the Utah Medical Association;
      • (v) two audiologists nominated by the Utah Speech-Language-Hearing Association;
      • (vi) one representative of hospital neonatal nurseries;
      • (vii) one representative of the Early Intervention Baby Watch Program administered by the department;
      • (viii) one public health nurse;
      • (ix) one consumer; and
      • (x) the executive director or the executive director's designee.
    • (d) Of the initial members of the committee, the executive director shall appoint as nearly as possible half to two-year terms and half to four-year terms. Thereafter, appointments shall be for four-year terms except:
      • (i) for those members who have been appointed to complete an unexpired term; and
      • (ii) as necessary to ensure that as nearly as possible the terms of half the appointments expire every two years.
    • (e) A majority of the members constitute a quorum, and a vote of the majority of the members present constitutes an action of the committee.
    • (f) The committee shall appoint a chairman from the committee's membership.
    • (g) The committee shall meet at least quarterly.
    • (h) A member may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's service, but may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with:
      • (i) Section 63A-3-106;
      • (ii) Section 63A-3-107; and
      • (iii) rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107.
    • (i) The department shall provide staff for the committee.
  • (6) Before implementing the test required by Subsection (1)(d), the department shall conduct a pilot program for testing newborns for critical congenital heart defects using pulse oximetry. The pilot program shall include the development of:
    • (a) appropriate oxygen saturation levels that would indicate a need for further medical follow-up; and
    • (b) the best methods for implementing the pulse oximetry screening in newborn care units.




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