Bill > S1005

This bill amends the Rhode Island Lead Poisoning Prevention Act to expand the options for analyzing blood lead level samples from children under six years old. Currently, such blood samples must be sent to the state health department laboratory, but the bill now allows these samples to be sent to a clinical laboratory that is operated by an entity incorporated in Rhode Island. A clinical laboratory is a specialized medical facility that conducts diagnostic tests on patient samples. The bill maintains existing requirements for lead poisoning screening, which mandates that healthcare providers and facilities screen children under six at specified intervals, with an exception for parents who object on religious grounds. The legislation aims to provide additional flexibility in processing blood lead level tests while maintaining the state's commitment to monitoring and preventing childhood lead exposure. The bill will take effect immediately upon its passage, allowing for prompt implementation of the new laboratory testing option.

Health and Social Services

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