SPONSOR:   

Rep. M. Smith & Sen. Poore

 

Reps. Baumbach, Bolden, Brady, Briggs King, Dukes, Heffernan, Hudson, Jaques, J. Johnson, Q. Johnson, Kenton, Kowalko, Mitchell, Osienski, Paradee, Ramone, Smyk, K. Williams, Wilson; Sens. Blevins, Cloutier, Hall-Long, Lopez, Townsend

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

147th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

 

HOUSE BILL NO. 214

 

 

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO INFORMATION ON DOWN SYNDROME.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

 

                Section 1.  Amend Title 16 of the Delaware Code by inserting a new Chapter 8B as shown by underlining as follows:

CHAPTER 8B. DOWN SYNDROME INFORMATION

                § 801B. Provision of information relating to Down Syndrome.

                (a) For the purposes of this section, the term "Down Syndrome'' shall mean a chromosomal condition caused by an error in cell division that results in the presence of an extra whole or partial copy of chromosome 21. A hospital, as that term is defined in § 803A of this title, physician, health care provider, nurse midwife or genetic counselor who renders prenatal care, postnatal care or genetic counseling shall, upon receipt of a positive test result from a test for Down Syndrome, provide the expectant or new parent with information provided by the department under subsection (b).

                (b) The Department shall make available to a person who renders prenatal care, postnatal care or genetic counseling to parents who receive a prenatal or postnatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome the following: (i) up-to-date evidence-based, written information about Down Syndrome that has been reviewed by medical experts and national Down Syndrome organizations; provided, however, that the written information provided shall include physical, developmental, educational and psychosocial outcomes, life expectancy, clinical course and intellectual and functional development and treatment options; and (ii) contact information regarding first call programs and support services, including information hotlines specific to Down Syndrome, resource centers or clearinghouses, national and local Down Syndrome organizations, and other educational and support programs. The Department may also make such information available to any other person who has received a positive test result from a test for Down Syndrome.


 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

                This bill requires that hospitals, physicians and other health professionals provide information about Down Syndrome and Down Syndrome resources and support groups to parents who have received a prenatal or postnatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome.  The Department of Health and Social Services is tasked with collecting and distributing appropriate information to health care providers for distribution to parents.  This bill will ensure that parents receiving a Down Syndrome diagnosis are timely provided accurate and complete information about Down Syndrome to help them in their planning process.