Posted: | March 11, 2014 11:09 AM |
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From: | Senator Randy Vulakovich |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Down Syndrome Prenatal Education Act (“Chloe’s Law”) |
In the near future, I plan to introduce the Down Syndrome Prenatal Education Act. Dubbed “Chloe’s Law,” after an incredible child with Down Syndrome, the legislation would simply require health care practitioners to provide complete information to women who receive a prenatal diagnosis for Down syndrome so that they are better informed with regard to the positive outcomes of giving birth to a child like Chloe. The Department of Health would make available up-to-date, evidence-based information about Down Syndrome that has been reviewed by medical experts and national Down Syndrome organizations. The information would include physical, developmental, educational and psychosocial outcomes; life expectancy; clinical course; intellectual and functional development; treatment options; and contact information for First Call programs, support services, hotlines specific to Down Syndrome, relevant resource centers, clearinghouses and national and local Down Syndrome organizations. Similar legislation has been signed into law in Kentucky and Massachusetts. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation, which is supported by Pennsylvania’s Physician General, the Arc of PA, the Central PA Down Syndrome Awareness Group, the Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh, the Eastern PA Down Syndrome Center, the Montgomery County Down Syndrome Interest Group, the Jerome Lejeune Foundation USA, and Parent to Parent of PA. If you have any questions, please call Nate Silcox of my staff at 717-787-6538. |
Introduced as SB1339