Newborn Screening Program Changes Go Forward
Following a series of court cases and legal maneuvers, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) began destroying blood spots collected as part of the state’s Newborn Screening Program as required by a November 2011 Minnesota Supreme Court ruling.
Bi-Partisan Bullying Prevention Bill Introduced
In a change from previous sessions, a bullying prevention bill introduced this session has a Republican lead author. Earlier efforts have been led by DFL members. The bill, HF 1953, is being carried by Rep. Jim Abeler (R – Anoka); Rep. Debra Hilstrom (D – Brooklyn Center) is a co-author. While comparable to legislation pursued in prior sessions, the bill differs in the way it defines “bullying.” Unlike earlier efforts, it does not seek to define bullying by referencing specific factors such as “race, gender, and sexual orientation.”
