New Jersey Limits Access to Newborn Blood Samples

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin issued a directive limiting law enforcement's access to newborn bloodspot information, requiring detailed requests for access, and justifying the need based on exceptional circumstances. The state Department of Health will now retain infants' blood and identifying information in the database for only two years instead of the previous 23 years, following a class-action lawsuit. Parents continue to demand informed consent before retaining their child's genetic information, emphasizing privacy concerns and constitutional rights. The changes aim to address concerns raised after a 1996 case where police allegedly used newborn DNA without a warrant, emphasizing the importance of public trust in public-health programs and law enforcement practices.