Amendment #3 to H5441

Amendment to protect parental rights over health decisions of their children

Mr. Gaskey of Carver moves to amend the bill by adding the following:

Subsection 2 of Section 110G of chapter 111 of the General Laws, by striking out subsection (e) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:  (e) The regulations pursuant to subsection (a) shall require a congenital cytomegalovirus screening to be performed not later than 21 days from the date of birth and before the newborn is discharged from the hospital or birthing facility to the care of the parent or guardian. No congenital cytomegalovirus screening shall be performed if a parent or guardian of the newborn objects to the screening. A parent or guardian may decline the screening for any reason, including personal, moral, philosophical, or religious beliefs, and shall not be required to state the specific grounds for their objection. The department shall develop a standard declination form to be signed by the objecting parent or guardian, which shall be maintained in the newborn’s medical record.