As introduced: The bill would require blood-lead testing prior to school enrollment and refer parents whose children have high blood-lead levels to special education resources.
As amended: The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a prevention and outreach plan to prevent and treat elevated blood lead levels. Children receiving health insurance through Medicaid are required to be tested. The plan also requires the dissemination of educational materials and an annual report to the Legislature on January 1st on the number of children who were screened and the number found to have with elevated blood lead levels.
Introducing Senator(s): Council, Ashford, Campbell, Harr, Krist, Lathrop, McGill, Mello, Nordquist
Committee: Education Committee
Committee Hearing Date: January 31, 2012
Current Status: Signed into law on April 10, 2012.
Estimated Fiscal Impact: No estimated fiscal impact.
Voices for Children Position: Support
Voices for Children supported this bill because of the harmful effect that elevated blood lead levels can have on a child’s health and development. We had concerns about the initial bill due to the assumption that the child would need special education services when research suggests that the child’s primary need would be public health assistance.
