SCS/SB 572 - This act requires insurance companies to offer coverage for testing pregnant women and for children under the age of 6 for lead poisoning. This act requires the Director of the Department of Health to inform local boards of health when a case of lead poisoning is reported to the director. Health care professionals and health care organizations are required to report positive lead poisoning cases.

Beginning January 1, 2002, the Department of Health must implement a childhood lead testing program to test children under the age of 6 for lead poisoning. The test shall consist of a blood sample which must be sent to a state-licensed laboratory for analysis. The Department of Health, in coordination with the Department of Social Services and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, shall develop questionnaires to determine whether certain children are at high risk for lead poisoning. Children determined to be at high-risk for lead poisoning shall be tested at least once every six months between the ages of six months and three years and annually between the ages of three and six years. Children less than 6 years of age who do not reside or spend more than 10 hours in a high risk area shall be tested once between the ages of 9 and 12 months and once at 2 years of age.

The Department of Health is to promulgate rules to identify pregnant women who may be at high risk for exposure to lead poisoning. The Department of Health is required to develop an educational mailing list to be sent to physicians informing them of the childhood lead testing program.

The Department of Health is required to convene a task force to investigate the imposition of a fee on manufacturers of products containing lead. Fees collected from such manufacturers shall be deposited in the Childhood Lead Testing Fund.

Beginning January 1, 2003, and every year thereafter, the Department of Health is required to submit a report evaluating physician compliance with the act to the General Assembly.

The act requires child care facilities to require a child's parent to provide evidence of lead poisoning testing. If the parent fails to submit evidence of lead poisoning testing, the facility is required to inform the parent of the issue and where the parent can obtain testing for the child.

This act creates the Childhood Lead Fund. The fund is to be used to fund the administration of the childhood lead programs.

Similar provisions are contained TAT CCS/HS/HCS/SCS/SB 266.
STEPHEN WITTE