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AB 1063

Search warrants: newborn screening program.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Diane Dixon

Allows releasing a newborn’s blood test to law enforcement only for DNA matching a missing person for homicide or abuse cases, with strict guardrails and annual reporting.

Referred to Coms. on HEALTH and PUB. S.
#searchwarrants #newbornscreeningprogram
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Bill Summary · AB 1063

Summary of AB 1063 (Dixon): Search warrants and the newborn screening program

What the bill is about (Purpose)

AB 1063 would narrowly authorize the California Department of Public Health (DPH) to release a physical blood test from a newborn for law enforcement purposes only under a specific type of search warrant. The warrant must be connected to a missing person suspected to be a victim of homicide, child abuse resulting in death, or manslaughter, and the DNA obtained would be used to compare against the Department of Justice’s Missing Persons DNA Database and uploaded for future identification. The bill also expands the annual reporting requirements related to the newborn screening program and related trust protections.

Key provisions

Section 125003 – Authorized release to law enforcement

  • The department may release a newborn’s physical blood test to law enforcement only if the warrant’s objective is to obtain the DNA of a missing person suspected to be:
    • a victim of homicide, or
    • a victim of child abuse resulting in death, or
    • a victim of manslaughter
  • The DNA may be compared to samples in the DOJ Missing Persons DNA Database and uploaded for future identification.
  • Prohibited uses (subdivision (b)):
    • No warrants for releasing the newborn blood test to determine if a person is a crime suspect.
    • No use to create a DNA database of suspects or nonsuspects.
    • No use to establish guilt of any person.

Section 125010 – Annual reporting (starting July 1, 2026)

The DPH must annually report, as part of the California Biobank Program reporting, on:
- (a) Total residual screening specimens stored
- (b) New residual screening specimens collected in the prior calendar year
- (c) Inheritable conditions identified by original screenings
- (d) Number of projects utilizing California Biobank Program specimens
- (e) Number of published research studies using the specimens and public health benefits
- (f) Number of specimens provided to each research project
- (g) Number of screening tests waived for religious purposes
- (h) Residual specimens destroyed at parent/adult request
- (i) Residual specimens remaining to be destroyed at parent/adult request
- (j) Number of search warrants received by the California Biobank Program (per 125003)
- (k) Number of disclosures granted under a search warrant (per 125003)

Who is affected

  • The California Department of Public Health (DPH), specifically the newborn screening program and the California Biobank Program.
  • Law enforcement agencies seeking to obtain newborn blood tests under a narrow set of search warrants.
  • Researchers and projects using California Biobank Program specimens (with reporting requirements).
  • Newborns and their parents/adults (privacy protections maintained, with limited disclosures).

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduced: February 20, 2025
  • Referred to committees: Health and Public Safety (March 24, 2025)
  • The annual reporting requirement starts on July 1, 2026, and continues thereafter.
  • The bill aligns with existing confidential handling of hereditary-disorder information, by restricting use of newborn blood tests to a narrowly defined law-enforcement purpose.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Pros: Tightens oversight and accountability for any use of newborn screening materials in criminal investigations; ensures a privacy-protective, narrowly tailored exception; provides transparency via annual reporting on warrants and disclosures.
  • Cons/concerns: May raise questions about the scope of law-enforcement access to newborn biological material, potential privacy implications for families, and the need for clear guardrails and audit mechanisms to prevent mission creep.

Overall, AB 1063 seeks to permit a highly limited, purpose-specific use of newborn screening specimens in connection with missing-person investigations, while expanding annual reporting to House the program under increased oversight.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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