The Department of Health will designate the prescribed effective screening tests and examinations which will be performed on newborns in accordance with Rule 1200-15-01-.02 for the detection of hearing loss, critical congenital heart disease and metabolic/genetic disorders as designated by the Department of Health.

1. (1) Exemptions for religious beliefs. Nothing in this part shall be construed to require the testing of or medical treatment for the minor child of any person who shall file with the Department of Health a signed, written statement that such tests or medical treatment conflict with such person’s religious tenets and practices, affirmed under penalties of perjury pursuant to T.C.A. § 68-5-403. The newborn screening refusal form provided by the State should be completed, filed with the Department and retained in the medical record for the period of time defined by the hospital or provider policy.
2. (2) Failure to have a child tested for the detection of hearing loss and metabolic/genetic disorders as designated by the Department of Health is a Class C misdemeanor pursuant to T.C.A. § 68-5-404.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202; 68-5-401, et seq.; 68-5-501, et seq.; and 68-5-901, et seq. Administrative History: Original rule certified June 7, 1974. Repeal and new rule filed September 1, 1982; effective October 1, 1982. Amendment filed September 16, 1996; effective January 28, 1997. Repeal and new rule filed December 30, 1999; effective March 14, 2000. Repeal and new rule filed September 26, 2003; effective January 28, 2004. Repeal and new rule filed December 13, 2012; effective May 31, 2013.