§ 63-1-510. Required eye treatment of infant - Exemption.

A.  It shall be the duty of any physician,  midwife, or other person attendant upon the birth of a newborn infant to ensure treatment of the eyes of the infant with a prophylactic ophthalmic agent as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as prophylaxis against ophthalmia neonatorum.

B.  Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a parent or legal guardian of a newborn infant from refusing prophylactic treatment on religious grounds or when such person deems that it is in the best interest of the child.  If the parent or legal guardian of the newborn infant refuses the prophylactic treatment, the health care provider shall document the refusal in the medical file of the newborn infant.

C.  The State Board of Health shall promulgate rules as necessary to implement the provisions of this section.

Added by Laws 1963, c. 325, Art. 5, § 510.  Amended by Laws 2010, c. 196, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2010.