SCS/SB 568 - This act terminates the currently-existing "Advisory Committee on Lead Poisoning" and establishes within the Department of Health and Senior Services, the "Children's Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council." The Council will consist of twenty-three members, certain members who will be appointed by February 1, 2007. Meetings must be held at the call of the chairperson, or at the call of the majority of the council members. The duties of the Council shall include: -Holding public hearings to gather information relating to the environmental health and protection of children;
-Evaluating existing environmental health programs and identifying children's environmental health issues that are currently not being addressed;
-Recommending policies to respond to unaddressed issues of children's environmental health;
-Recommending uniform guidelines for state agencies to help reduce and eliminate children’s exposure to environmental hazards;
-Gathering and disseminating information on how to reduce, treat, and eliminate a child's exposure to environmental hazards;
-Recommending education programs for parents, guardians, and caregivers of children;
-Identifying additional resources to implement programs;
-Assigning one staff support person to review all proposed legislation sent to the council, which shall be referred to the subcommittee (as established later in this act) to review and provide recommendations to the general assembly prior to the time that such legislation is heard in committee;
-Reviewing certain proposed rules, regulations, and standards sent to the council, and providing recommendations within the thirty-day public comment period;
-Providing recommendations with regard to several statutory sections dealing with children’s exposure to lead;
-Establishing a subcommittee that will work with DHSS to determine which existing statutes and regulations to review for potential environmental impact, and provide recommendations to the General Assembly;
-Providing recommendations to eradicate childhood lead poisoning by the year 2012;
-Preparing an annual report to deliver to the general assembly and the governor by February 1st of each year.
Members of the Council will serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for any expenses incurred. The Department of Health will provide administrative support and current staff to the Council as deemed necessary. Subject to appropriations, the Council may employ consultants.
ALEXA PEARSON