ATLANTA – State Representative Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville) today announced that House Bill 241, Cove’s Law, was signed into law by Governor Nathan Deal on Monday, May 8, 2017. HB 241, sponsored by Rep. Hawkins, will add Krabbe disease to the list of metabolic and genetic conditions for which newborn screenings may be conducted by the Department of Public Health.
“Early diagnosis is imperative for the survival of these young patients, and without expedient treatment, infants rarely survive past the age of 2,” said Rep. Hawkins. “Cove’s Law will give Georgia’s children a fighting chance to beat this potentially devastating medical condition. I would like to thank Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg of Duke University for her invaluable advice, work and dedication to saving the lives of these children. She is responsible for much of the research and for arranging the low cost of genetic testing. I would also like to thank attorney Betsy Howerton in the Office of Legislative Council for her assistance in drafting this bill.”
Under Cove’s Law, parents will have the option to allow the Department of Public Health to screen their newborn for Krabbe disease, a rare and fatal genetic disorder only treatable if diagnosed before the child shows symptoms. Information related to Krabbe disease screenings will be included in a brochure given by the Department of Public Health to expectant mothers. Parents will be responsible for the cost of the screening, which will cost between $3 and $5.
For more information on Cove’s Law, please click here.
Representative Lee Hawkins represents the citizens of District 27, which includes portions of Hall and White counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2012, and currently serves as the Vice Chairman on the Banks & Banking and Health & Human Services committees, and as Secretary on the Regulated Industries Committee He also serves on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health, and the Insurance and Rules committees.
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