4th Session, 42nd Legislature

This HTML version is provided for ease of use and is based on the bilingual version that was distributed in the Legislature after First Reading.

Bill 212

THE UNIVERSAL NEWBORN HEARING SCREENING AMENDMENT ACT

(Assented to                                         )

HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, enacts as follows:

C.C.S.M. c. U38 amended

1

The Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Act is amended by this Act.

2

The title is amended by adding "AND CYTOMEGALOVIRUS TESTING" before "ACT".

3

The preamble is amended by adding the following after the fifth paragraph:

AND WHEREAS infants born with cytomegalovirus infection are at increased risk of hearing loss and other long-term health concerns;

4(1)

Subsection 1(1) is amended by adding the following definition:

"CMV" means cytomegalovirus.

4(2)

Subsection 1(2) is replaced with the following:

Standard for newborn hearing screening and CMV tests

1(2)

For the purpose of this Act,

(a) a screening for hearing loss must be conducted in accordance with the regulations; and

(b) CMV infection must be tested using a sample of the infant's saliva in accordance with the regulations.

5(1)

Subsection 2(1) is amended

(a) in the section heading, by adding "and CMV test" after "Newborn hearing screening"; and

(b) by adding "and tested for CMV infection" at the end.

5(2)

The following is added after subsection 2(1):

Options available

2(1.1)

The parent or legal guardian may request either the screening for hearing loss or the test for CMV infection, or both.

5(3)

Subsection 2(2) is replaced with the following:

Screening and test before discharge or by referral

2(2)

The attending health professional must ensure, in respect of each screening or test requested by a parent or legal guardian under this section, that

(a) the screening or test is conducted before the child is discharged, if the child is born at a hospital that provides the screening or test; and

(b) the child is referred to a hospital, other health care facility or health professional equipped for and capable of conducting the screening or test, if the child is not born at a hospital that provides the screening or test.

6

Clause 4(b) is amended by adding "and tests for CMV infection" after "screenings for hearing loss".

Coming into force

7

This Act comes into force 90 days after the day it receives royal assent.