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            A. The Louisiana Department of Health is hereby authorized and directed to establish, maintain, and carry out programs designed to reduce mortality and morbidity from sickle cell disease and to prevent central nervous system damage in children with phenylketonuria, congenital hypothyroidism, biotinidase deficiency, galactosemia and genetic conditions tested under the authority of La. Rev. Stat. 40:1081.2(B).

            B.(1) The Louisiana Department of Health shall establish and maintain a diagnostic laboratory for each of the following purposes:

            (a) Conducting experiments, projects, and other undertakings as may be necessary to develop tests for the early detection of phenylketonuria, congenital hypothyroidism, galactosemia, sickle cell diseases, biotinidase deficiency, and other genetic conditions.

            (b) Developing ways or discovering methods to be used for the prevention and treatment of these diseases.

            (c) Such other purposes as may be deemed necessary by the department to carry out any program adopted under the authority of this Subpart, including conducting experiments, projects, and other undertakings as may be necessary to develop tests for genetic conditions made part of the battery of tests by the Louisiana Department of Health under La. Rev. Stat. 40:1081.2(B).

            (2) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “prevention” as used with respect to sickle cell anemia shall not mean mandatory sterilization or abortion.

            C. The department is authorized to adopt rules and regulations necessary to carry out any program which may be established.

            D. The Louisiana Department of Health shall establish a program for informing physicians and hospitals of the current medical standards for diagnosing and treating children who exhibit clinical symptoms which suggest the existence of galactosemia. This program shall be established in consultation with and shall be based on the recommendations of the Louisiana Hospital Association and the Louisiana State Medical Society.

            Acts 1964, No. 269, §1. Amended by Acts 1978, No. 442, §2; Acts 1978, No. 786, §5, eff. July 17, 1978; Acts 1981, No. 430, §1; Acts 1982, No. 375, §1; Acts 1984, No. 265, §2; Acts 1987, No. 598, §1, eff. July 9, 1987; Acts 1989, No. 91, §1; Acts 1991, No. 729, §1; Acts 1993, No. 997, §1; Acts 1999, No. 328, §1; Redesignated from La. Rev. Stat. 40:1299 by HCR 84 of 2015 R.S.