Title 26.

Chapter 2.

Article 2.

Part NN. (New)

"Down Syndrome"

§§1,2 -

C.26:2-194 &

26:2-195

§3 - Note

P.L.2015, CHAPTER 173, approved January 11, 2016

Senate, No. 475 (First Reprint)

An Act concerning Down syndrome and supplementing Title 26 of the Revised Statutes.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

     1.    a.  The Department of Health shall make available ¹on the department’s Internet website,¹ to any person who renders prenatal care, postnatal care, or genetic counseling of parents who receive a prenatal or postnatal diagnosis of Down syndrome ¹,¹ the following:  (1) up-to-date, evidence-based, written information about Down syndrome that has been reviewed by medical experts and national Down syndrome organizations, including ¹, but not limited to, the Center for Disease Control and the March of Dimes, which information shall include¹ physical ¹,¹ developmental, educational, and psychosocial outcomes ¹[:] ;¹ (2) life expectancy, clinical course, and intellectual and functional development and treatment options; and (3) contact information regarding telephone ¹[and online assistance]¹ and support services, including information hotlines specific to Down syndrome, resource centers ¹[or clearinghouses]¹, and other education and support programs.  The department may also make such information available to any other person who has received a positive test result from a test for Down syndrome.  ¹This information may be revised by the department as new information about Down syndrome becomes available.¹

     b.    Information provided under this section shall be ¹[culturally and linguistically appropriate] in English and Spanish, and in a manner that is easily understandable¹ for women receiving a positive prenatal diagnosis or for the family of a child receiving a postnatal diagnosis of Down syndrome.

¹2.   Any physician, health care provider, nurse midwife, or genetic counselor who renders prenatal care, postnatal care, or genetic counseling shall, upon receipt of a positive test result from a test for Down syndrome, provide the expectant or new parent with the information that is provided by the Department of Health under section 1 of this act.¹

¹[2.] 3.¹     This act shall take effect on the first day of the fourth month next following the date of enactment.

     Requires certain information regarding Down syndrome be provided to certain parents and families.