State Rep. Greg Martin co-sponsored a bill that mandates blood tests for pregnant women to screen for syphilis, rubella immunity and hepatitis B and C.
House Bill 111 requires physicians, surgeons, or other authorized health care providers to take a blood sample during a woman’s first visit or within 10 days of the initial examination. If the first visit occurs during or after delivery, the tests must be conducted at that time.
“These comprehensive screenings are essential to protecting pregnant women and their babies from serious health problems,” Rep. Martin said.
The Tennessee Department of Health reported a 548 percent increase in congenital syphilis cases from 2019 to 2023.
The bill also mandates a second blood sample for syphilis testing between the 28th and 32nd weeks of pregnancy, with an additional sample required at delivery. Rubella immunity testing will not be repeated in future pregnancies once a positive result or documented vaccination history is recorded.
“By increasing early detection, we can take proactive steps to prevent complications and ensure healthier pregnancies and deliveries,” Rep. Martin said.
The legislation also requires health care providers to report all positive test results for syphilis, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C to the local health department, in compliance with state regulations on communicable disease control.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 53 percent of babies diagnosed with CS in 2022 and 2023 could have been prevented with timely screening. Of those cases, 43 percent of mothers had no testing or were tested too late, and 10 percent of mothers who tested negative in the first trimester were not retested later, by which time they had acquired syphilis.
House Bill 111 will be heard in the Health Committee on Feb. 25.