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January 21, 2008 issue
Public Health
BILL: HB 1053 – Meningitis Vaccinations for College Students
AUTHOR: Rep. Tim Neese, R-Elkhart
ISMA POSITION: Support
THIS WEEK: The bill was not heard in the Public Health Committee this week, but it could possibly be heard next week.
Rep. Neese approached the ISMA seeking support of this legislation that might prompt a hearing in the House Public Health Committee. The ISMA advised Rep. Neese that the ISMA supports the bill and would work with Rep. Charlie Brown, chair of the House Public Health Committee, to urge him to hear the bill.
The bill would require incoming freshmen at any public university in Indiana to be vaccinated for meningitis in addition to the current requirement of vaccination for diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps and rubella.
The bill contains an exemption for qualifying students and repeals the notice requirement to students encouraging voluntary vaccination for meningococcal meningitis.
BILL: SB 143 – Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention
AUTHOR: Sen. Beverly Gard, R-Greenfield
ISMA POSITION: Support
THIS WEEK: SB 143 received a hearing in the Health and Provider Services Committee Wednesday, Jan. 16; the committee is expected to vote on the measure Jan. 23.
Prior to the hearing, the ISMA worked with Sen. Gard to amend the bill to allow for a good faith exception to the $2,500 fine for laboratories and providers who send incomplete lead blood tests to the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH).
The bill provides a comprehensive effort to increase lead poisoning testing, information and prevention. It also:
- Requires laboratories and providers to include additional information when submitting a lead blood test to the ISDH
- Fines those who submit incomplete reports
- Establishes a lead poisoning prevention fund
- Establishes a lead-safe housing advisory council
- Places additional informational requirements on retail establishments that sell paint
- Requires lead paint testing at child care facilities
- Establishes lead-safe work practices for contractors, renovators and remodelers
- Places additional requirements on landlords with properties that might contain lead paint
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