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February 19, 2008 issue
Public Health
BILL: SB 143 – Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention
AUTHOR: Sen. Beverly Gard, R-Greenfield
SPONSOR: Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary
ISMA POSITION: Support
THIS WEEK: On Feb. 11, the House Committee on Public Health listened to public testimony on SB 143, but did not take a vote. An amendment was added that would hold importers of toys that include lead or lead paint liable for any lead poisoning that occurs. The chairman of the committee formed a subcommittee to study the issue further and report back to the whole committee at its final meeting next week. The ISMA spoke in support of the bill and will continue to monitor any changes.
SB 143 provides a comprehensive effort to increase lead poisoning testing, information and prevention. It 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, creates 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, and places additional requirements on landlords with properties that might contain lead paint.
An amendment was added that provides a good faith exemption for those providers or laboratories submitting lead blood tests with incomplete information if they acted in good faith, but were unable to collect all the information required or provide incorrect information on a completed report.
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