Title 42The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73

§300b–15 Hunter Kelly Research Program

Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 6A— - PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER IX— - GENETIC DISEASES, HEMOPHILIA PROGRAMS, AND SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME › Part Part A— - Genetic Diseases › § 300b–15

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Carry out and grow a newborn screening research program called the Hunter Kelly Newborn Screening Research Program. The program can develop and test better screening tools, work on experimental treatments and care for extra newborn conditions and other genetic or metabolic problems found by newborn screening, give research data for conditions the Advisory Committee is reviewing to be added to the recommended screening list, run pilot studies so new screenings are ready for the whole country, and do other improvements the NIH Director finds useful. "Additional newborn condition" means any condition not on the core recommended list the Secretary adopted. Groups that get program money must, when possible, consult state health departments and focus on testing methods not already used in their state and on conditions on the recommended screening panel. The NIH Director is encouraged to include program activities in the required two-year report and share that information on the Internet clearinghouse. The program must avoid duplicating work, add to but not replace existing efforts, and must not interfere with the NIH peer-review process.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §300b–15

The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)The Secretary, in conjunction with the Director of the National Institutes of Health and taking into consideration the recommendations of the Advisory Committee, may continue carrying out, coordinating, and expanding research in newborn screening (to be known as “Hunter Kelly Newborn Screening Research Program”) including—
(A)identifying, developing, and testing the most promising new screening technologies, in order to improve already existing screening tests, increase the specificity of newborn screening, and expand the number of conditions for which screening tests are available;
(B)experimental treatments and disease management strategies for additional newborn conditions, and other genetic, metabolic, hormonal, or functional conditions that can be detected through newborn screening for which treatment is not yet available;
(C)providing research findings and data for newborn conditions under review by the Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children to be added to the recommended uniform screening panel;
(D)conducting pilot studies on conditions recommended by the Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children to ensure that screenings are ready for nationwide implementation; and
(E)other activities that would improve newborn screening, as identified by the Director.
(2)For purposes of this subsection, the term “additional newborn condition” means any condition that is not one of the core conditions recommended by the Advisory Committee and adopted by the Secretary.
(b)In carrying out the research program under this section, the Secretary and the Director shall ensure that entities receiving funding through the program will provide assurances, as practicable, that such entities will work in consultation with the appropriate State departments of health, and, as practicable, focus their research on screening technology not currently performed in the States in which the entities are located, and the conditions on the uniform screening panel (or the standard test existing on the uniform screening panel).
(c)The Director is encouraged to include information about the activities carried out under this section in the biennial report required under section 283 of this title. If such information is included, the Director shall make such information available to be included on the Internet Clearinghouse established under section 300b–11 of this title.
(d)In carrying out programs under this section, the Secretary shall minimize duplication and supplement, not supplant, existing efforts of the type carried out under this section.
(e)Nothing in this section shall be construed to interfere with the scientific peer-review process at the National Institutes of Health.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2014—Subsec. (a)(1)(C) to (E). Pub. L. 113–240, § 9(1), added subpars. (C) and (D) and redesignated former subpar. (C) as (E). Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 113–240, § 9(2), substituted “section 283 of this title” for “section 403 of the National Institutes of Health Reform Act of 2006”. 2008—Subsec. (a)(1)(B). Pub. L. 110–237 substituted “, or” for “and or”.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 300b–15

Title 42The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73