SECOND REGULAR SESSION

SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE BILL NO. 1568

90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Reported from the Committee on Public Health and Welfare, April 13, 2000, with recommendation that the Senate Committee Substitute do pass and be placed on the Consent Calendar.

TERRY L. SPIELER, Secretary.

3901S.02C

AN ACT

To repeal section 210.030, RSMo Supp. 1999, relating to women's health, and to enact in lieu thereof three new sections relating to the same subject.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:

Section A.  Section 210.030, RSMo Supp. 1999, is repealed and three new sections enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as sections 192.965, 192.968 and 210.030, to read as follows:

192.965.  There is hereby created the "Office on Women's Health" within the department of health.  The duties of the office shall include, without limitation:

(1)  Assist in the assessment of the health needs of women in the state;

(2)  Provide policy analysis and recommendations to the director of the department of health on issues affecting the health and well-being of women across the life cycle;

(3)  Assist the director of the department of health in identifying issues and establishing priorities for programs, services and resources the department of health should provide;

(4)  Serve as a central location for information, resources, technical assistance and consultation about women's health for the department of health, other state agencies, local health departments and community-based organizations;

(5)  Promote coordination of and collaborative efforts among programs and services for women in the department of health, other state agencies, local health departments and community organizations; and

(6)  Increase visibility of the many diverse factors affecting the health and well-being of women in Missouri.

192.968.  To advise the chief of the office on women's health, the director of the department of health shall appoint a committee comprised of persons who have expertise in the varied issues affecting the health and well-being of women in Missouri, who reflect the geographic, racial, ethnic and socioeconomic diversity of Missouri, and who speak for communities with specific health care risks, needs and concerns.

(1)  The advisory committee and the chief of the office on women's health shall jointly identify issues pertinent to the health of women for consideration by the director of the department of health.

(2)  The advisory committee shall assist the office on women's health in analyzing issues, as requested, and providing policy advice to the chief of the office on women's health.

210.030.  1.  Every licensed physician, midwife, registered nurse and all persons who may undertake, in a professional way, the obstetrical and gynecological care of a pregnant woman in the state of Missouri shall, if the woman consents, take or cause to be taken a sample of venous blood of such woman at the time of the first prenatal examination, or not later than twenty days after the first prenatal examination, and subject such sample to an approved and standard serological test for syphilis, an approved serological test for hepatitis B and such other treatable diseases and metabolic disorders as are prescribed by the department of health.  In any area of the state designated as a syphilis outbreak area by the department of health, if the mother consents, a sample of her venous blood shall be taken later in the course of pregnancy and at delivery for additional testing for syphilis as may be prescribed by the department.  If a mother tests positive for hepatitis B, the physician or person who professionally undertakes the pediatric care of a newborn shall also administer the appropriate doses of hepatitis B vaccine and [gamma globulin specific for hepatitis B, or HBIG, within twelve hours of birth to infants born to mothers who are hepatitis B positive.  If the results of such test are unknown within twelve hours, the hepatitis B vaccine and gamma globulin specific for hepatitis B, or HBIG, shall be administered as soon as possible.] hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) in accordance with the current recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).  If the mother's hepatitis B status is unknown, the appropriate dose of hepatitis B vaccine shall be administered to the newborn in accordance with the current ACIP recommendations.  If the mother consents, a sample of her venous blood shall be taken.  If she tests positive for hepatitis B, hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) shall be administered to the newborn in accordance with the current ACIP recommendations.

2.  The department of health shall, in consultation with the Missouri genetic disease advisory committee, make such rules pertaining to such tests as shall be dictated by accepted medical practice, and tests shall be of the types approved by the department of health.  An approved and standard test for syphilis, hepatitis B, and other treatable diseases and metabolic disorders shall mean a test made in a laboratory approved by the department of health.  No individual shall be denied testing by the department of health because of inability to pay.