2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26104087D

HOUSE BILL NO. 392

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 12, 2026

A BILL to amend and reenact § 32.1-68 of the Code of Virginia, relating to sickle cell disease screening program; routine kidney cancer screening.

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Patrons—Askew, Anderson, Anthony, Austin, Ballard, Bennett-Parker, Bloxom, Bulova, Callsen, Carnegie, Carr, Carroll, Cherry, Clark, Cohen, Cole, J.G., Cole, N.T., Convirs-Fowler, Cousins, Delaney, Dougherty, Downey, Feggans, Fowler, Franklin, L.V., Franklin, M.A., Gardner, Glass, Guzman, Hayes, Helmer, Henson, Hernandez, Herring, Hope, Kent, Keys-Gamarra, Kilgore, Krizek, Laufer, Leftwich, LeVere Bolling, Lopez, Maldonado, Martinez, McAuliff, McClure, McGuire, McNamara, McQuinn, Mehta, Morefield, Nivar, O'Quinn, Pope Adams, Price, Rasoul, Reaser, Reid, Schmidt, Scott, D., Seibold, Sewell, Shin, Simon, Simonds, Singh, Sullivan, Thomas, Thornton, Torian, Tran, Ward, Watts, Webert, Wiley, Willett, Wilt and Wyatt

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Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 32.1-68 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 32.1-68. Commissioner to establish screening and treatment program; review by Board; program to include education and post-screening counseling; laboratory tests.

A. The Commissioner, in cooperation with local health directors, shall establish a voluntary program for the screening of adults and children for the disease of sickle cell anemia or the sickle cell trait and for such other genetically related diseases and genetic traits and inborn errors of metabolism as the Board may deem necessary.

B. The Board shall review the program from time to time to determine the appropriate age and the method of screening for such conditions or traits in the light of technological changes.

C. The screening program shall include provisions for education concerning the nature and treatment of sickle cell anemia, other genetically related diseases and inborn errors of metabolism and a post-screening counseling program for the treatment of any person determined to have such a condition.

D. The program may include the provision of laboratory testing.

E. The program shall offer routine kidney cancer screening to all individuals who (i) have been diagnosed with sickle cell disease or the sickle cell trait and (ii) are 25 years of age or older. Such screening shall begin upon either the individual's diagnosis with sickle cell disease or the sickle cell trait or when the individual reaches 25 years of age, whichever occurs first. The program shall offer follow-up screening every five years unless the individual's health care provider determines such screening should occur more frequently.

E. F. The Board shall adopt regulations to implement an adult and pediatric comprehensive sickle cell clinic network.