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January 28, 2008 issue
Public Health
BILL: HB 1053 – Meningitis Vaccinations for College Students
AUTHOR: Rep. Tim Neese, R-Elkhart
ISMA POSITION: Support
THIS WEEK: HB 1053 was not granted a hearing before the Jan. 24 deadline, so the bill is dead for this session. However, the possibility exists that the bill’s language could be amended into another 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 passed the Senate Committee on Health and Provider Services on Wednesday, Jan. 23. The ISMA is concerned with the version of the bill that passed the committee because the amendment granting a good faith exception for laboratories and providers was removed. The ISMA is currently working with Sen. Gard to insert the good faith language back into the bill on second reading before the Senate.
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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