BILL NO. 440
(as introduced)
1st Session, 64th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
2 Charles III, 2024
Private Member's Bill
Harvey’s Law
The Honourable Keith Irving
Kings South
First Reading: March 21, 2024
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
An Act Respecting Down Syndrome
Be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:
1 This Act may be cited as Harvey's Law.
"member" means a member of a health profession regulated by any of the organizations listed in the Schedule to the Regulated Health Professions Network Act;
"Minister" means the Minister of Health and Wellness.
3 (1) Subject to Section 6, the Minister shall ensure that up-to-date, evidence-based written information relating to Down syndrome is made available to members and to the public, which must include information about
(a) life expectancy, cognitive and physical development, education outcomes and psychosocial outcomes of persons with Down syndrome;
(b) resources for families who have a family member with Down syndrome; and
(c) resources and supports available from community organizations across the Province that are developed and approved by the Minister and the Department of Health and Wellness.
(2) Before making any information available to members and to the public, the Minister shall ensure that consultations take place on the content of the information with
(a) members with particular expertise in Down syndrome; and
(b) organizations representing or advocating for persons with Down syndrome.
(3) The information must be made publicly available in both English and French, as well as in any other language that the Minister considers appropriate.
4 (1) When communicating a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome, a member shall provide to the expectant parent or parents the written information relating to Down syndrome made available by the Minister under Section 3.
(2) This Section has effect on and after March 21, 2025.
5 Throughout the Province, in each and every year, March 21st shall be known as Down Syndrome Day.
6 The money required for the purpose of this Act must be paid out of money appropriated for that purpose by the Legislature.
This page and its contents published by the Office of the Legislative Counsel, Nova Scotia House of Assembly, and © 2024 Crown in right of Nova Scotia. Created March 21, 2024. Send comments to legc.office@novascotia.ca.
