THE BILL ITSELF
CS/SB 1414
Education on Congenital Cytomegalovirus
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 1414 By the Committee on Health Policy; and Senator Polsky 588-02771-26 20261414c1
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A bill to be entitled
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An act relating to education on congenital
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cytomegalovirus; creating s. 383.142, F.S.; requiring
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the Department of Health, in consultation with medical
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experts identified by the department, to develop
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educational materials on congenital cytomegalovirus
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for distribution to expectant and new parents or
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caregivers; providing requirements for such
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educational materials; requiring certain hospitals,
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birth centers, and obstetrics and gynecology physician
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practices to provide the educational materials to such
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parents and caregivers; requiring the department to
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provide the educational materials to child care
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facilities and other relevant entities; providing an
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effective date.
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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Section 1. Section 383.142, Florida Statutes, is created to
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read:
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383.142 Education on congenital cytomegalovirus.—The
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Department of Health, in consultation with medical experts
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identified by the department, shall develop educational
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materials on congenital cytomegalovirus to be distributed to
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expectant and new parents or caregivers as part of any
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maternity, prenatal, or newborn services or education provided
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by hospitals, birth centers, or obstetrics and gynecology
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physician practices in this state.
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(1) The educational materials must include, but need not be
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limited to, an explanation of all of the following:
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(a) The causes, symptoms, and effects of cytomegalovirus
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infection and the ways it can be prevented. The materials must
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emphasize the fact that the virus can spread from person to
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person without detection and can be particularly dangerous if
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transmitted from a pregnant woman to her child as congenital
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cytomegalovirus.
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(b) The manner in which congenital cytomegalovirus, if
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contracted, can lead to neurological issues, such as seizures,
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cerebral palsy, and developmental delays; sensory loss, such as
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hearing and vision loss; physical problems, such as low birth
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weight, jaundice, and enlarged liver and spleen; and, in severe
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cases, pregnancy loss. The materials must emphasize the
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importance of early testing for congenital cytomegalovirus in
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newborns and infants to preserve their health and prevent
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lifelong health complications.
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(c) The screening requirements of s. 383.145.
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(2) Each hospital, birth center, and obstetrics and
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gynecology physician practice in this state providing maternity,
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prenatal, or newborn services or education shall provide the
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educational materials developed by the department under this
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section to expectant or new parents or caregivers receiving such
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services or education. The department shall provide the
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educational materials to child care facilities and any other
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entity deemed relevant by the department.
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Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.