110th Congress

Prenatally and Postnatally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act

P.L. 110-374 (S. 1810/H.R. 3112)

Impact of Public Law

P.L. 110-374 is aimed at increasing the provision of information and coordination of available support networks to parents of children diagnosed with Down syndrome or other prenatally or postnatally diagnosed conditions. The law provides that the Secretary of Health and Human Services may, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, oversee activities such as the awarding of grants and contracts in order to accomplish these goals. While the law focuses on providing and coordinating information regarding support services, one provision of particular interest to NIH requires awardees to provide “up to date, evidence based, written information concerning the range of outcomes for individuals living with the diagnosed condition, including physical, developmental, educational, and psychosocial outcomes” (emphasis added).

Legislative History

S. 1810 was introduced by Senator Sam Brownback (R KS) on July 18, 2007. On March 13, 2008, it was reported out favorably by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. The bill was reported out again by the HELP Committee on April 21 with a further amendment in the nature of a substitute. S. 1810 was passed by the Senate by unanimous consent on September 23 and by the House on September 25 under suspension of the rules. On October 8, President Bush signed S. 1810 into law as P.L. 110 374.

H.R. 3112, a House companion measure, was introduced by Representative F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R WI) on July 19, 2007. On April 23, 2008, the bill was reported out favorably by the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health. No further action has occurred on this legislation.

October 2008