Chapter 246-650 WAC specifies the list of conditions that all newborns must be screened for in Washington. The Board filed a CR-101, Preproposal Statement of Inquiry, on February 4, 2022, for chapter 246-650 WAC. The CR-101 announces to the public that the Board is considering adding Ornithine Transcarbamylase Deficiency (OTCD) to the list of mandatory conditions for newborn screening conducted by the Department of Health (Department).
The Board and Department have been unable to proceed with rulemaking because additional funding is necessary to increase the state newborn screening fee to cover costs associated with including a new condition on the panel. Since the CR-101 filing, the Department’s Newborn Screening Program requested a fee increase from the Legislature to include screening for OTCD in the state budget. During the 2023 legislative session, the Legislature did not include funding in their final budget to increase the newborn screening fee for OTCD. As a result, rulemaking to add OTCD will be put on hold until funding is available in the budget and other system partners also have the funding to cover the costs of new screening requirements.
The Department plans to resubmit its funding request for OTCD before the next legislative session for reconsideration. Board staff will continue to keep interested parties updated on any developments.
Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050 and Chapter 70.83 RCW
State Board of Health Contact: Molly Dinardo, (564) 669-3455
Department of Health Contact: John Thompson, (206) 418-5531
Related Links: Meeting Materials
- October 13, 2021, State Board of Health Public Meeting
- April 12, 2023, State Board of Health Public Meeting
