Tennessee § 68-5-202 - Treatment specified for infant at birth — Reports of redness, swelling, inflammation or pus — Religious exemption.

§ 68-5-202. Treatment specified for infant at birth — Reports of redness, swelling, inflammation or pus — Religious exemption.

It is the duty of any physician, nurse or midwife who assists and is in charge at the birth of any infant, or has the care of the infant after birth, to treat the eyes of the infant with a prophylaxis to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum or infections leading to blindness. The treatment shall be given as soon as practicable after the birth of the infant and always within one (1) hour; and if any redness, swelling, inflammation, or gathering of pus appears in the eyes of the infant or upon the lid or about the eyes within two (2) weeks after birth, then any nurse, midwife or other person having care of the infant shall report the condition within six (6) hours after its discovery to a physician licensed and practicing medicine in this state. Nothing in this part shall require medical treatment under subsection (a) for the minor child of any person who files with the department of health a signed, written statement that such medical treatment conflicts with the person's religious tenets and practices, affirmed under penalties of perjury. Acts 1915, ch. 52, §§ 2, 3; Shan., §§ 6756a3, 6756a4; Code 1932, §§ 11175, 11176; modified; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), §§ 53-622, 53-623; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113; 2008, ch. 847, § 2; 2016, ch. 989, § 1. Amendments. The 2016 amendment rewrote (b) which read: “A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor.” Effective Dates. Acts 2016, ch. 989, § 2. July 1, 2016. Cross-References. Newborn testing and metabolic defects, title 68, ch. 5, part 4.