E5-7934. Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders and Genetic Diseases in Newborns and Children; Notice of Meeting

In accordance with section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463), notice is hereby given of the following meeting:

Name: Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders and Genetic Diseases in Newborns and Children (ACHDGDNC).

Dates and Times: February 13, 2006, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; February 14, 2006, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Place: Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Rotunda Room, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20004.

Status: The meeting will be open to the public with attendance limited to space availability.

Purpose: The Advisory Committee provides advice and recommendations concerning the grants and projects authorized under the Heritable Disorders Program and technical information to develop policies and priorities for this program. The Heritable Disorders Program was established to enhance the ability of State and local health agencies to provide for newborn and child screening, counseling and health care services for newborns and children having or at risk for heritable disorders. The Committee was established specifically to advise and guide the Secretary regarding the most appropriate application of universal newborn screening tests, technologies, policies, guidelines and programs for effectively reducing morbidity and mortality in newborns and children having or at risk for heritable disorders.

Agenda: The first day will be devoted to a presentation on the National Coordination Center for the Regional Genetics and Newborn Screening Collaboratives, presentations on newborn screening projects of the Regional Collaboratives, and reports from the Committee's subcommittees on laboratory standards and procedures, follow-up and treatment and education and training. The second day will include discussions on the nomination process for candidate conditions on the Newborn Screening Panel and presentations by organizations representing policy makers and legislation. Proposed agenda items are subject to change.

Time will be provided each day for public comment. Individuals who wish to provide public comment or who plan to attend the meeting and need special assistance, such as sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodations, should notify the ACHDGDNC Executive Secretary, Michele A. Lloyd-Puryear, M.D., Ph.D. (contact information provided below).

Contact Person: Anyone interested in obtaining a roster of members or other relevant information should write or contact Michele A. Lloyd-Puryear, M.D., Ph.D., Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, Room 18A-19, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20857, Telephone [phone]. Information on the Advisory Committee is available at http://mchb.hrsa.gov/​programs/​genetics/​committee.

Dated: December 20, 2005.

Tina M. Cheatham,

Director, Division of Policy Review and Coordination.