Senate Passes Krabbe Disease Screening Bill, Also Known As "Hannah's Law"
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- The Senate unanimously passed a Krabbe disease screening bill on Wednesday.
The legislation added Krabbe disease, along with five other Lysosomal Storage Disorders, to the list of genetic diseases hospitals must screen newborns for in Pennsylvania.
The announcement was made by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi.
The bill, Hannah's Law, is named after a local little girl Hannah Ginion. When Hannah was about four-months-old, she became extremely irritable and had trouble swallowing. She was later diagnosed with Krabbe disease. A rare, degenerative disorder that's deadly.
It is an inherited disorder that affects the peripheral and central nervous system and appears in about one in every 100,000 births.
Hannah's mom, Vicki, says, "You would want to try anything to save your baby's life. She doesn't deserve this. She wasn't given a fair chance. No other family should go through that."
She says the screenings would provide a little ray of hope, hope for Hannah, and others born with the devastating illness.
It was announced in addition to Hannah's Law, screenings will also be required for Fabry disease, Pompe disease, Niemann-Pick disease, Gaucher disease and Hurler syndrome.
Previously, Eyewitness News checked with Governor Corbett's office. We were told he supports Hannah's Law and is expected to sign it.
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