Section 191.923

Title XII PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

Chapter 191

Effective - 28 Aug 2007   

  191.923.  Prenatally diagnosed conditions, patient to be provided information — definitions — clearinghouse of information to be established. — 1.  The general assembly of the state of Missouri hereby finds and declares that pregnant women who choose to undergo prenatal screening should have access to timely and informative counseling about the conditions being tested for, the accuracy of such tests, and resources for obtaining support services for such conditions.  Informed consent is a critical component of all genetic testing and prenatal screening, particularly as the results of such testing or screening and the counseling that follows may lead to the unnecessary abortion of unborn humans with Down Syndrome or other prenatally diagnosed conditions.

  2.  As used in this section, the following terms shall mean:

  (1)  "Down Syndrome", a chromosomal disorder caused by an error in cell division that results in the presence of an extra whole or partial copy of chromosome 21;

  (2)  "Health care provider", any person or entity licensed, accredited, or certified by the state of Missouri to perform specified health services;

  (3)  "Prenatally diagnosed condition", any adverse fetal health condition identified by prenatal genetic testing or indicated by prenatal screening procedures;

  (4)  "Prenatal test", a diagnostic procedure or screening procedure performed upon a pregnant woman or her unborn offspring to obtain information about her offspring's health or development.

  3.  When a prenatally diagnosed condition, including but not limited to Down Syndrome, becomes known as a result of one or more prenatal tests, the physician or other health care professional who requested or ordered prenatal tests, or his or her designee, shall provide the patient with current information about the conditions that were tested for, the accuracy of such tests, and resources for obtaining support services for such conditions, including information hotlines specific to Down Syndrome or other prenatally diagnosed conditions, resource centers, and clearinghouses for such conditions, support programs for parents and families, and the alternatives to abortion services program under section 188.325.

  4.  The department of health and senior services shall establish a clearinghouse of information concerning supportive services providers, information hotlines specific to Down Syndrome or other prenatally diagnosed conditions, resource centers, education, other support programs for parents and families, and the alternatives to abortion services program under section 188.325.

­­--------

(L. 2007 H.B. 818 § 191.912)