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SB 507 - This act modifies provisions relating to lead poisoning and lead abatement. Currently, when a case of lead poisoning is reported to the Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services by the patient's attending health care professional, the Director informs local health boards and public health agencies as the Director deems necessary. This act repeals this requirement and provides that the Department shall protect the identity of the patient and physician involved in accordance with the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Currently, the Department, in collaboration with the Department of Social Services and other health care organizations, shall develop an educational strategy to increase the number of children who are tested for lead poisoning under the Medicaid program. This act repeals a provision describing the goals and timelines of the educational strategy. Under this act, every health care provider serving children shall annually provide education to all parents and guardians of children less than 4 years of age regarding lead hazards and provide the option to test every child less than 4 years of age with the consent of the parent or guardian. This act repeals provisions requiring all children less than 6 years of age who reside or spend more than 10 hours a week in a high risk area to be annually tested for lead poisoning. Instead, every child less than 6 years of age shall be annually assessed for lead poisoning risk and may be tested with the consent of the child's parent or guardian. Finally, every child care facility located in a geographic area of high risk for lead poisoning shall, within 30 days of enrollment of a child age 12 months to 4 years of age, require the child's parents or guardians to provide evidence of lead poisoning testing or a statement of refusal of such testing. SARAH HASKINS
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