LEAD POISONING COMMISSION H.B. 5118 (S-3): FLOOR ANALYSIS
House Bill 5118 (Substitute S-3 as reported)
Sponsor: Representative Chris Kolb
House Committee: Health Policy
Senate Committee: Families and Human Services
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Lead Abatement Act (Part 54a of the Public Health Code) to require the proposed Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Commission to study the environmental threats of lead poisoning to children's health; review the State's lead poisoning prevention program; evaluate the effectiveness of the program, including its ability to satisfy Federal law requirements that 100% of all young children enrolled in Medicaid be screened with a blood lead test; and make recommendations for the program's improvement.
The Commission would have to develop short- and long-range strategic recommendations for childhood lead poisoning prevention and control in Michigan. The recommendations would have to include, at a minimum, strategies to:
-- Enhance public and professional awareness of lead poisoning as a child health emergency.
-- Significantly increase blood lead testing rates for young children.
-- Eliminate or manage the sources of lead poisoning, especially focusing on lead-based paint in aged housing.
-- Assure State interagency as well as public and private cooperation and communication regarding resolution of "this complex environmental and public health problem".
The Commission would have to submit a written report of its findings, including the recommendations, to the Governor and Legislature by March 31 of each year, beginning in 2005.
These provisions would be repealed on July 1, 2007. The bill is tie-barred to Senate Bill 753, which would create the Commission.
Proposed MCL 333.5474a Legislative Analyst: Julie Koval
FISCAL IMPACT
This bill would cause the Department of Community Health to incur costs related to the activities of the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Commission through July 1, 2007. Most of the associated costs could be covered by existing staff and resources.
Date Completed: 7-6-04 Fiscal Analyst: Dana Patterson
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. hb5118/0304