Lawmakers advance bill to educate about dangers of prenatal virus

"Children who are born deaf now have very different opportunities than if they were born 20 years ago," said Karl White, director of the National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management and a professor of psychology at Utah State University, where the center is housed. He said earlier identification of hearing problems can better be treated with available technologies, providing often the same outcomes as hearing-abled individuals.

"The world has changed dramatically for deaf children," he said, adding that Utah has been at the forefront of related advancements. "There are no limits if they get proper education and early treatment."

Utah would be the first state to address CMV with official legislation. Utah Department of Health Epidemiologist Dr. Robert Rolfs said the virus is "inadequately understood" among health professionals as well as the general public. Other states are discussing similar options but have yet to pass any laws regarding CMV.

Members of the committee voted unanimously in support the bill and it passes to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

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