RUNNER BILLS TO INCLUDE HIV TESTING FOR INFANTS.Byline: Romy Jacobson Daily News Staff Writer Assemblyman George Runner George C. Runner, Jr. (born March 25 1952 in Scotia, New York) is a Republican California State Senator, who represents the 17th Senate District, which includes portions of Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County and Ventura County. says he will introduce legislation calling for mandatory HIV testing of all newborns under a two-year ``Baby AIDS'' pilot project in Los Angeles County. Modeled on the New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of law that requires HIV testing for all newborns, the bill requires that test results be kept confidential between parents and physicians. ``This is a bill of compassion for babies,'' said Runner, R-Lancaster. ``We need to do everything we can to build up their immune system immune system Cells, cell products, organs, and structures of the body involved in the detection and destruction of foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. Immunity is based on the system's ability to launch a defense against such invaders. .'' While test results will be confidential, statistical information on how many infants test positive would be compiled by the state in an effort to better understand how to reduce the rate of HIV HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), either of two closely related retroviruses that invade T-helper lymphocytes and are responsible for AIDS. There are two types of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is responsible for the vast majority of AIDS in the United States. infection among infants, Runner says. While HIV testing is voluntarily, Runner says the state requires mandatory testing of infants for far less common diseases, such as phenylketonuria phenylketonuria (fĕn'əlkēt'ən  r`ēə) (PKU), inherited metabolic disorder caused by the absence of a specific enzyme (phenylalanine hydroxylase). and galactosemia galactosemia (gəlăk'təsē`mēə), inherited metabolic disorder caused by an enzyme deficiency and transmitted as a recessive trait; it results in the accumulation of the sugar galactose in the body. - both genetic disorders that can lead to mental retardation mental retardation, below average level of intellectual functioning, usually defined by an IQ of below 70 to 75, combined with limitations in the skills necessary for daily living. , and which together were detected in 428 infants from 1980 through 1996. HIV infection is the sixth-leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4 in the United States, according to Runner's staff. Approximately 1,300 to 2,000 children are born with HIV annually in the United States, officials say. Money for the tests - estimated at $2 million to $3 million annually - would come from the $60 million the federal government gives California every year for medical and support services support services Psychology Non-health care-related ancillary services–eg, transportation, financial aid, support groups, homemaker services, respite services, and other services for low-income HIV-positive patients. The ``Baby AIDS'' legislation is one of nine bills Runner says he will introduce during the 1998 session, and which he outlined at a news conference at his Lancaster office. The other bills would: Increase the minimum age for children entering kindergarten, requiring children to turn 5 by Sept. 1 rather than Dec. 2. ``We believe it's a key education bill,'' said Runner. Reform divorce procedures by requiring spouses with minor children to submit plans for visitation, financial support, education and other vital information when filing for divorce. Runner said the bill is ``an effort to try to mitigate the effects of divorce on children.'' Provide an incentive for aerospace companies to do work on the Joint Strike Fighter in California, by providing a 10 percent sales tax sales tax, levy on the sale of goods or services, generally calculated as a percentage of the selling price, and sometimes called a purchase tax. It is usually collected in the form of an extra charge by the retailer, who remits the tax to the government. credit on equipment purchases. The Joint Strike Fighter is the Pentagon's next big aircraft project. Eliminate the current priority system for courthouse construction projects in Los Angeles County, under which a new Antelope Valley courthouse must wait for a courthouse in Chatsworth. If the bill passes, it would leave decisions involving priorities up to county supervisors. Provide a $1,000 state tax credit to people who adopt children out of the foster care system. ``This bill makes it easier for families to bring these children into loving and permanent homes,'' said Runner. ``In the long run, this measure will save our state money by taking children out of the foster care system.'' CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO (Color in AV Edition only) Assemblyman George Runner, R-Lancaster, outlines bills at his office Monday. John Lazar/Special to the Daily News |
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