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HB978 • 2026

Newborn screening program;include cytomegalovirus (CMV) in conditions tested for.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-21-201, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCLUDE CYTOMEGALOVIRUS (CMV) IN THE CONDITIONS TESTED FOR IN THE COMPREHENSIVE NEWBORN SCREENING PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor
Calvert
Last action
2026-02-03
Official status
Dead
Effective date
July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text does not explicitly mention providing information materials about newborn screening tests for doctors and parents, although it suggests the State Department of Health may develop such materials.

Add Cytomegalovirus to Newborn Screening Tests

This bill would add cytomegalovirus (CMV) testing to Mississippi's newborn screening program.

What This Bill Does

  • Adds CMV to the list of conditions tested for in the state’s newborn screening program.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Newborn babies in Mississippi
  • Doctors and health care providers who perform newborn screenings

Terms To Know

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
A virus that can cause serious health problems in newborns.
Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP)
A list of conditions recommended for newborn screening by national experts.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill did not pass and was not signed into law.
  • It is unclear how many babies would be affected if the bill had passed.
  • The bill does not establish a genetics advisory committee to recommend additional conditions for testing.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/03 (H) Died In Committee

  2. 2026-01-16 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    01/16 (H) Referred To Public Health and Human Services

Official Summary Text

Newborn screening program;include cytomegalovirus (CMV) in conditions tested for.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
H. B. No. 978 *HR43/R1687* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR43/R1687
PAGE 1 (RF\KP)

To: Public Health and Human
Services
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Calvert

HOUSE BILL NO. 978

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-21-201, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, 1
TO INCLUDE CYTOMEGALOVIRUS (CMV) IN THE CONDITIONS TESTED FOR IN 2
THE COMPREHENSIVE NEWBORN SCREENING PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED 3
PURPOSES. 4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 5
SECTION 1. Section 41-21-201, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 6
amended as follows: 7
41-21-201. (1) The State Department of Health shall 8
establish, maintain and carry out a comprehensive newborn 9
screening program designed to detect hypothyroidism, 10
phenylketonuria (PKU), hemoglobinopathy, congenital adrenal 11
hyperplasia (CAH), galactosemia, cytomegalovirus (CMV) any other 12
conditions listed on the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel 13
(RUSP), and such other conditions as specified by the State Board 14
of Health. The State Board of Health shall ensure that each 15
condition listed on the RUSP is included in the comprehensive 16
newborn screening program within three (3) years after being added 17
to the RUSP and shall adopt any rules and regulations necessary to 18
accomplish the program. If the department does not include a 19
H. B. No. 978 *HR43/R1687* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R1687
PAGE 2 (RF\KP)

RUSP-listed condition in the comprehensive newborn screening 20
program within three (3) years, the department shall provide a 21
report on the status and reasons for the delay to the House and 22
Senate Public Health Committees once a year after the three-year 23
period. 24
(2) The State Board of Health shall determine and specify 25
the conditions that will be included in the comprehensive newborn 26
screening program in addition to those conditions named in 27
subsection (1) of this section and any other conditions listed on 28
the RUSP, upon the advice and recommendations of a genetics 29
advisory committee. The advisory committee shall be appointed by 30
the Executive Director of the State Department of Health, and 31
shall include at least two (2) pediatricians and one (1) consumer 32
representative from a family that has experience with a newborn 33
infant with an abnormal screening test. The State Department of 34
Health shall maintain a list of each of the conditions included in 35
the comprehensive newborn screening program, which shall be made 36
available to physicians and other health care providers who are 37
required to provide for newborn screening testing under Section 38
41-21-203. 39
(3) The State Department of Health shall develop information 40
materials about newborn screening tests that are available, which 41
may be used by physicians and other health care providers to 42
inform pregnant women and parents. 43
H. B. No. 978 *HR43/R1687* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R1687
PAGE 3 (RF\KP)
ST: Newborn screening program;include
cytomegalovirus (CMV) in conditions tested for.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 44
and after July 1, 2026. 45