Search warrants: newborn screening program.

Assembly Member Dixon's legislation establishes new protocols for law enforcement access to newborn blood samples in California, limiting release to cases where DNA analysis could help identify missing persons who may be victims of homicide, child abuse resulting in death, or manslaughter. The bill specifies that these samples can only be used to compare DNA with the Department of Justice Missing Persons DNA Database or for future victim identification.

The measure explicitly prohibits law enforcement from obtaining newborn blood samples for other purposes, including suspect identification, creation of DNA databases, or establishing criminal guilt. These restrictions aim to maintain the primary public health purpose of California's newborn screening program while allowing limited use of samples in specific missing persons cases.

Beginning July 1, 2026, the State Department of Public Health must expand its annual reporting on the newborn screening program to include data on search warrants received and specimens released under these new provisions. This adds to existing reporting requirements covering stored specimens, identified conditions, research usage, and parental opt-outs. The department must continue providing these comprehensive reports for five years, offering transparency into both the program's public health functions and any law enforcement access to samples.