Congress·In Committee·S. 2842

Sen. Blumenthal Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Expand Newborn Screening for CMV Virus

Stop CMV Act of 2025

6 months ago·View on Congress.gov

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Key Points

The bill encourages hospitals and health care facilities to test newborns who are 21 days old or younger for congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a common virus that can cause serious health problems like hearing loss, vision loss, and developmental delays in babies born with the infection.
From policy text
“Each hospital or other health care entity caring for infants who are 21 days or less of age (as designated by the Secretary) may administer, or cause to have administered, to every such infant in its care a test for congenital Cytomegalovirus in accordance with this section.”
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Federal grants would flow to states through HRSA to help pay for testing, and through the CDC to build data collection systems and educate health care providers, patients, and the public about CMV risks, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
From policy text
“The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall award grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements with, States to provide technical assistance to State agencies or designated entities of States”
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States get two years to create their own screening standards and procedures. If a state fails to act within that window, the federal Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children will step in and create standards that the state may implement.
From policy text
“If a State has not prescribed standards and procedures that are approved as provided for in paragraph (4) by the date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of the Stop CMV Act of 2025, the Discretionary Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children established under section 1111 (referred to in this section as the `Advisory Committee') shall prescribe appropriate standards and procedures which may be implemented by such State.”
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The National Institutes of Health is directed to establish or expand research into CMV screening techniques, diagnostics, prevention, treatments during pregnancy and after birth, and vaccine development, using existing NIH funds.
From policy text
“establish a program, or expand existing programs, of research and development into congenital Cytomegalovirus diagnostics, prevention, treatments including public health awareness campaigns, risk reduction, and vaccine development, and cures or treatments (during pregnancy and after birth).”
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Funding for the HRSA and CDC grant programs is authorized for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, though the bill leaves the exact dollar amounts open by authorizing 'such sums as may be necessary.' NIH work would use already-available funds.
From policy text
“There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out subparagraph (A) such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027.”
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Healthcare

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Sep 17, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Sep 17, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Within 2 years of enactment

States begin developing CMV screening standards and procedures

If the bill passes, states would have a two-year window to create their own rules for how hospitals test newborns for CMV and share results with parents.

2 years after enactment

Federal advisory committee sets standards for states that haven't acted

States that don't create their own CMV screening procedures within two years would have federal standards available to adopt, ensuring a baseline level of screening nationwide.

Related News

5 articles

CT Insider·6 months ago

Blumenthal, Marshall, Landsman, & Lawler Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill Promoting Infant Screening for Virus that Causes Birth Defects

U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Roger Marshall, alongside Representatives Greg Landsman and Mike Lawler, introduced the Stop CMV Act of 2025. The legislation aims to provide federal funding for newborn screening of congenital Cytomegalovirus, the leading infectious cause of birth defects.

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The Microbiologist·4 months ago

Study Reveals Critical Impact of Universal cCMV Screening on Early Detection of Hearing Loss in Newborns

The Stop CMV Act (H.R. 5435/S. 2842) was successfully reintroduced in the 119th Congress. This legislation would authorize federal funding for cCMV screening programs to improve early detection and intervention of hearing loss in infants, following research showing many cases are missed.

ASHA Advocate·5 months ago

ASHA-Backed Bill Reintroduced to Improve CMV Screening and Treatment

Bipartisan legislation introduced in the House and Senate—the Stop CMV Act (H.R. 5435/S. 2842)—would provide federal funding for state-based cytomegalovirus (CMV) screening programs. The bill focuses on early detection to prevent long-term effects such as hearing loss and developmental delays.

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