The Governor of North Carolina has signed into law legislation that will help save the lives of nearly 700 babies born in the state each year. The law, referred to as RUSP alignment legislation, implements a three-year timeline in which the screening must begin for new conditions added to the federal Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (or RUSP), and ensures that the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services shall provide a report on the status of the addition at 18 months and every six months the addition is delayed past three years.
This new law brings the total number of states that have adopted RUSP alignment legislation in 2021 to four, following similar legislation that was passed in Ohio, Arizona and Georgia. however, nationally the total states as reached 6 including Florida and California in 2016 and 2017. This life-saving momentum has been the result of a growing effort led by advocates, urging states to keep pace with science.