Bill > SB850

This bill modifies the Childhood Blood Lead Test Act by strengthening requirements for lead testing in children and clarifying health insurance coverage. The bill changes the legislative purpose from "encouraging" to "requiring" testing of all children by two years of age, and introduces a precise definition of "cost-sharing" to include deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. For lead testing, healthcare providers are now mandated to ensure at least one blood lead test for children by 24 months of age or between 24-72 months if never previously tested, with a confirmatory test required if an initial capillary test shows an elevated blood lead level. The bill also updates health insurance coverage requirements, mandating that blood lead tests for children under two and between 24-72 months, as well as one test per pregnancy for individuals with identified risk factors, must be provided without cost-sharing (out-of-pocket expenses). The bill allows parents or patients to object to testing and does not limit other existing health insurance benefits. The changes will apply to new or renewed health insurance policies within 180 days of the bill's effective date, which is 60 days after passage.

Health and Social Services

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=850