CLEVELAND (May 24, 2017) | On Monday, May 8, 2017, Governor Nathan Deal signed House Bill 241 into Georgia law. Senator Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega) carried HB 241 in the Senate to ensure Krabbe disease would be added to the list of metabolic and genetic conditions a baby is screened for at birth. Ms. Brooke Adams Nix, a White County teacher, brought to light the need for HB 241 and worked with Sen. Gooch and his colleagues to get Cove’s Law passed and signed into law.
“I want to thank Ms. Nix for her unwavering passion and persistence to get HB 241 through every step of the way in legislative process,” said Sen. Gooch. “She showed me the importance of this legislation and how much it could impact not only kids like Cove, but future generations. I knew we had to do something to help and giving up was not an option. I am proud of Ms. Nix, Cove’s family, our entire community and Rep. Lee Hawkins, who agreed to introduce HB 241, for coming together to make a classroom legislative idea into law. This legislation is in honor of Cove and will save lives in the future.”
HB 241, “Cove’s Law,” adds Krabbe disease to the list of metabolic and genetic conditions a baby could be tested for during the newborn screening conducted by the Department of Public Health. Under HB 241, the parent(s) of the newborn child would have the option to ask for the test separately from other screenings. HB 241 goes in effect on July 1, 2017.
Please follow the link below for additional information on HB 241:
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/Display/20172018/HB/241
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For Immediate Release:
May 24, 2017
For Information Contact:
Ines Owens, Acting Director
(404) 656-0028
ines.owens@senate.ga.gov