THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2637
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO CHILDREN'S HEALTH.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that it is well-established that lead poisoning can cause permanent health damage, including: intellectual disabilities; learning and behavior problems; high blood pressure; damage to the brain, nervous system, kidneys, and red blood cells; and, in severe cases, coma or death. Even at low levels, lead exposure can result in adverse health effects, especially in young children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the effects of childhood lead poisoning are most effectively treated through early intervention programs before the age of three. Federal law requires that all medicaid-insured children be tested for lead at one and two years of age. While the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires all states to offer early intervention services for children at risk for developmental delays or disability before they are three years of age, no mandate currently exists at the state level.

Though the reported number of children in Hawaii with elevated blood lead levels has decreased over time, elevated blood lead levels among children continue to be a concern. Presently, only twenty-five per cent of children in the State under the age of three are tested for lead, which means that the blood lead levels of the remaining seventy-five per cent of untested children are unknown and, consequently, untreated.

The purpose of this Act is to keep Hawaii's children safe from lead hazards and the effects of lead poisoning by requiring blood lead tests at for all children up to six years of age who reside in the State.

SECTION 2. Chapter 321, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Part    . mandatory TESTING for lead poisoning

§321-A Definitions. As used in this part, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Child" means a child from birth to six years of age.

"Department" means the department of health.

"Lead poisoning" means a medical condition in a child younger than six years of age in which the child has a blood lead level that is at or higher than the blood lead reference value established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

§321-B Duties. It shall be the duty and responsibility of the department to establish, implement, and evaluate a statewide program for early identification of, and intervention for, lead poisoning in children.

§321-C At risk status; blood lead testing. All children in the State shall be considered at risk for lead poisoning and shall receive blood lead testing according to the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment guidelines for children enrolled in medicaid.

§321-D Duty of the primary care provider. All licensed primary care providers shall test children under their care for lead poisoning as specified in section 321-C."

SECTION 3. In codifying the new sections added by section 2 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate section numbers for the letters used in designating the new sections in this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

DOH; Lead Poison Testing; Insurance

Description:

Requires the department of health to establish, implement, and evaluate a statewide program for early identification of, and intervention for, lead poisoning in children. Requires all children be tested for lead poisoning. Requires primary care providers to test children under their care for lead poisoning. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.