CHAPTER 342
FORMERLY
SENATE BILL NO. 477
AS AMENDED BY SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1
AN ACT MAKING A SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF A PROGRAM TO DETERMINE THE IMMUNE STATUS FOR RUBELLA AMONG HIGH RISK GROUPS OF WOMEN OF CHILD-BEARING AGE AND TO PRESENT AND CONTROL THE DISEASE.
WHEREAS, serious congential developmental disabilities; such as cataracts, microphthalmia, microcephaly, mental retardation, deafness, patent ductus arteriosus with other cardiac defects, thrombocytopenic purpura, hepatosplenomegaly with jaundice and radiologically distinctive bone defects; may occur following both clinically manifest and inapparent Rubella infections in the first trimester; and
WHEREAS, the immune status of women under 45 years of age can easily be determined; and
WHEREAS, premarital bloods drawn for syphilis serology will be the source of serum sample for Rubella testing also, and would not necessitate a second blood drawing; and
WHEREAS, institutional high risk females such as students on University and College campuses can be screened; and
WHEREAS, the Rubella testing service will be made available to all indigent patients through their physicians and clinics who request it; and
WHEREAS, modern programs of prevention and control can be implemented; and
WHEREAS, Federal funds under the Development Disabilities Act (P.L. 91-57) have been granted for a period of one year to initiate this program to the Division of Public Health; and
WHEREAS, the Federal funds expired on December 31, 1975.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Delaware..
Section 1. The sum of $6,850.00 is appropriated to the Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, for the administration and continuation of the current program to determine the immune status for Rubella among women in conjunction with their premarital serologies and other high risk groups of women and indigent patients in an attempt to prevent congenital development disabilities by controlling Rubella for the period extending from April 1, 1976 through June 30, 1977.
Section 2. This Act is a supplementary appropriation and the money appropriated shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of funds in the General Fund of the State of Delaware, not otherwise appropriated.
Section 3. Any money appropriated and unexpended on June 30, 1977, shall revert to the General Fund of the State of Delaware.