Pennsylvania HB 916: An Act amending the act of November 3, 2022 (P.L.2135, No.150), known as the Childhood Blood Lead Test Act, further providing for title of act, for legislative purpose, for definitions, for lead poisoning prevention, assessment and testing, for duties of department and for blood lead assessment and testing coverage.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 965 PRINTER'S NO. 3286
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 916
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY GIRAL, PIELLI, SANCHEZ, McNEILL, HILL-EVANS,
SCHLOSSBERG, HOHENSTEIN, CIRESI, OTTEN, WEBSTER, GREEN AND
RIVERA, MARCH 17, 2025
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
AS AMENDED, APRIL 28, 2026
AN ACT
Amending the act of November 3, 2022 (P.L.2135, No.150),
entitled "An act providing for blood lead assessment and
testing of certain children and pregnant women by health care
providers; imposing duties on the Department of Health; and
requiring certain health insurance policies to cover blood
lead tests," further providing for legislative findings and
for definitions; repealing provisions relating to lead
poisoning prevention, assessment and testing; providing for
lead poisoning prevention, assessment and testing; and
further providing for duties of department and for blood lead
assessment and testing coverage.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 2 of the act of November 3, 2022
(P.L.2135, No.150), known as the Childhood Blood Lead Test Act,
is amended by adding paragraphs to read:
Section 2. Legislative findings.
The General Assembly finds that:
* * *
(8) No safe blood lead level in children has been
identified.
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(9) The effects of lead poisoning are not reversible.
Section 2. Section 4 of the act is amended by adding
definitions to read:
Section 4. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Birthing facility." An inpatient or ambulatory health care
facility licensed by the department that provides birthing and
newborn care services.
"Blood lead level." A measure of lead in the blood, measured
in micrograms of lead per deciliter of whole blood (μg/dL).
* * *
"Child." A child younger than 72 months of age who is a
resident of this Commonwealth.
* * *
"Diagnostic blood lead level testing." An analysis of a
blood sample to determine blood lead levels for the sample,
which is obtained by venipuncture or capillary blood sampling
for the purpose of any of the following:
(1) Confirming lead poisoning as a follow-up blood lead
level test.
(2) Diagnosing a child or pregnant woman showing signs
or symptoms of lead poisoning.
(3) Diagnosing a child or pregnant woman suspected of
having sustained a significant lead exposure.
"Diagnostic evaluation." Obtaining and evaluating medical
history information, conducting a physical examination and
diagnostic blood lead level testing, identifying potential
sources of lead exposure and evaluating iron status.
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* * *
"Lead poisoning." A blood lead level that meets one of the
following criteria:
(1) A confirmed blood lead level greater than or equal
to 20 μg/dL in a child or pregnant woman.
(2) Two blood lead level samples of a child or pregnant
woman, separated by at least 90 days, but not more than 365
days, which indicate a blood lead level greater than or equal
to 15 μg/dL.
"Lead-screening-related services." Any of the following:
(1) Materials and supplies used to obtain blood
specimens for quantitative blood lead level or erythrocyte
protoporphyrin analysis.
(2) Laboratory analysis of submitted samples for
quantitative blood lead level testing or erythrocyte
protoporphyrin analysis.
(3) Evaluation of results obtained from laboratory
analysis of samples submitted for quantitative blood lead
level or erythrocyte protoporphyrin analysis, as well as
related consultation, referral and follow-up of children and
pregnant women who potentially have lead poisoning.
"Screening test." A blood sample obtained by venipuncture or
capillary blood sampling from an asymptomatic child or pregnant
woman not known to have lead poisoning to identify risk of lead
poisoning for the child or pregnant woman.
Section 3. Section 5 of the act is repealed:
[Section 5. Lead poisoning prevention, assessment and testing.
(a) Lead testing for children.--
(1) The following apply:
(i) A health care provider shall consider possible
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lead exposure in an individual patient by evaluating risk
factors for lead exposure and perform blood lead testing
in accordance with recommendations from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy
of Pediatrics by 24 months of age.
(ii) If a patient has never been tested in
accordance with recommendations from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy
of Pediatrics by 24 months of age, a health care provider
shall consider possible lead exposure and perform blood
lead testing in an individual patient between 24 months
and 7