SCS/SB 507 - Currently, the Department of Health and Senior Services, 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 medical provider serving children shall annually provide education to all parents and guardians of children under 4 years of age regarding lead hazards and provide the option to test every child under 4 years of age with the consent of the parent or guardian. This act repeals the requirement that parents or guardians provide a written statement refusing lead testing.
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 under 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 of age or older and under 5 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.
This act is identical to the provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/HB 402 (2023), the truly agreed to and finally passed HCS/SS/SCS/SB 106 (2023), HCS/SS/SB 198 (2023), and HCS/HB 906 (2023).
SARAH HASKINS