Bills · HR 4709
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 4709Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulationMedical research
Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act of 2025
INTRO JUL 23· LAST ACTION SEP 10
READING
6MIN
COSPONSORS
6BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because early detection of serious genetic and heritable conditions in newborns can prevent severe health problems, disabilities, or even save lives. By ensuring these screening programs continue and are improved, it helps make sure that all babies have the best chance at a healthy start. Without this reauthorization, existing federal support for newborn screening, research into new conditions, and educational programs for families would expire, potentially leading to inconsistencies in screening practices across states and delays in care for affected children.
It addresses concerns about parents receiving clear, understandable information about complex medical screenings and ensures that the systems in place to track and support children with these conditions are effective. The increased funding and focus on research mean that future generations of children could be screened for even more conditions, further enhancing public health outcomes.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Expands and improves educational programs for parents, families, and patient advocacy groups, covering all aspects of newborn screening and ensuring materials are at appropriate literacy levels.
This ensures that families receive clear, comprehensive, and understandable information about critical health screenings for their newborns.
PROVISION 02
Requires the Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children to develop and publish consumer-friendly materials detailing the process for nominating new conditions to the uniform screening panel.
This increases transparency and public understanding of how critical decisions are made regarding which conditions newborns are screened for.
PROVISION 03
Mandates the coordination of national surveillance activities by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to standardize data collection, improve real-time tracking, and promote data sharing between state newborn screening programs and birth defects surveillance programs.
This leads to a more efficient and effective national system for tracking newborn health outcomes and connecting families to services.
PROVISION 04
Changes the Hunter Kelly Research Program from optional to mandatory, requiring the Secretary to support research for developing and piloting reliable newborn screening technologies.
This ensures a consistent federal commitment to advancing new screening methods, potentially leading to earlier detection of more conditions.
PROVISION 05
Authorizes significantly increased funding for newborn screening programs and activities, extending through fiscal year 2030.
This provides necessary financial resources to sustain and expand vital newborn screening efforts across the country.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 6
D· Minnesota
YRS IN OFFICE
1
BILLS LED
17
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 100%
DEM 3 REP 3 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
5 EVENTSSEP 10
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
SEP 10
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
SEP 10
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
JUL 23
Introduced in House
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 4709
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJul 23, 2025
Last actionSep 10, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JUL 23, 2025
House BillHR 4709Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulationMedical research
Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act of 2025
INTRODUCED JUL 23, 2025· LAST ACTION SEP 10, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
6 min
COSPONSORS
6
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
