BILL REQ. #:  H-4451.1 

Read first time 01/16/08.   Referred to Committee on Select Committee on Environmental Health.

     AN ACT Relating to testing for elevated levels of lead in children under six years old in Washington; and adding a new chapter to Title 70 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that:
     (1) Lead is harmful to individuals of all ages and that young children and babies are the most vulnerable to lead poisoning.
     (2) In addition to the potential for exposure to lead from paint chips, contaminated soil and water, traditional remedies, and other pathways, a number of consumer products, including toys and candy, also have the potential to expose children and adults to lead. For many of these products, the presence of lead is not easily identified.
     (3) Long-term exposure to even low levels of lead may cause irreversible learning difficulties, mental retardation, and delayed neurological and physical development. Most children and adults who have lead poisoning appear to be healthy with no obvious or distinctive symptoms.
     (4) Testing for lead in children will help identify children that have been exposed and precipitate action to limit further exposure.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) By September 1, 2008, the department of health shall begin operation of a mobile lead testing unit to test children under six years old for elevated levels of lead in their bloodstream and to educate parents and children in lead poisoning prevention at mobile unit testing events.
     (2) The mobile lead testing unit must employ state-of-the-art testing equipment to test children at risk for elevated blood lead levels. The equipment must be evaluated for purchase by the department of health by taking into account cost-effectiveness, efficiency of use, dependability, service life, ease of training in its use, and portability. The testing equipment must satisfy the following criteria:
     (a) Use of the testing equipment must qualify for reimbursement by federal medicaid as a blood lead level test under the American medical association current procedural terminology code 83655;
     (b) Requirements under the federal clinical laboratory improvement amendments of 1988 must have been waived for use of the equipment;
     (c) The testing equipment must be able to provide accurate blood lead level results at the time of testing; and
     (d) The testing equipment must be able to provide accurate blood lead level results without requiring a venous blood draw.
     (3) The department of health shall conduct a mobile unit lead testing event in each county of the state annually.
     (4) The schedule of dates and locations for mobile unit lead testing events must be coordinated with local public health officials, community health centers, public health clinics, school districts, federal women, infants, and children programs, and early childhood education and outreach programs located in the area planned for the event.
     (5) Notification of mobile unit lead testing events must be made at least two weeks in advance to area doctor's offices, pediatricians, community health centers, public health clinics, hospitals, federal women, infant, and children program facilities, early childhood education and outreach program facilities, day care centers, and local schools. Notification must be publicized in the mass media in advance of testing in any given area to encourage the maximum participation of children.
     (6) The department of health may, if resources are available, and at its discretion, provide a lead screening test for any person in the general public.
     (7) All testing data collected must be included within the department's blood lead registry and reported to the United States centers for disease control and prevention.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The department of health shall attempt to recover costs for lead screening through federal medicaid, federal grants, and nongovernmental sources.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   Sections 1 through 3 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 70 RCW.