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March 3, 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:
THIS WEEK: On Feb. 26, SB 143 was amended on the House floor. Amendments focused on issues including tort claims for imported products containing lead, a summer study committee for lead safety issues in child care centers and increased lead paint regulation for abortion clinics. The bill was eligible for final passage in the House on Feb. 28.
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 Indiana State Department of Health and fines those who submit incomplete reports, creates 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, institutes 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 allows a good faith exemption for 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 provided incorrect information on a completed report.
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