AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 RELATING TO THE CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING PREVENTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

Plain English Breakdown

The effective date is not listed in the provided metadata or text, so it remains unknown until further action by the Governor.

Adding a School Nurse to Delaware's Lead Poisoning Prevention Committee

This law changes state rules to add one school nurse as an official member on the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Advisory Committee.

What This Bill Does

• Amends Title 16 of the Delaware Code regarding the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Advisory Committee.
• Adds a new committee seat for a school nurse who works in this State.
• Requires that this school nurse member be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
• Allows the Delaware School Nurse Association to provide a list of potential nominees, which the Speaker may consider.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Advisory Committee (CLPPAC).
• School nurses in this State who may be appointed as members.
• The Speaker of the House of Representatives, who makes the appointment.
• The Delaware School Nurse Association.

Terms To Know

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Advisory Committee (CLPPAC)

A state group that helps make plans to stop lead poisoning in children.

Speaker of the House

The leader of Delaware's lower legislative chamber who appoints this new committee member.

Limits and Unknowns

• The official text does not state when this law will take effect.
• The source material mentions that school nurses have historically helped with lead screening but does not list specific future tasks for the new member beyond being a voting member.
• The source material does not specify how many times a person can serve in this role or if there are term limits.

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 RELATING TO THE CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING PREVENTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
School nurses are a vital link in implementing the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act and in preventing lead poisoning among Delaware’s children. Since the 1990s, school nurses have been on the front lines of ensuring that students entering pre-kindergarten and kindergarten have a lead screening completed prior to the start of school.

The Delaware School Nurse Association (DSNA) Advocacy Committee has actively participated in the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Advisory Committee (CLPPAC) as a stakeholder, collaborating to improve blood lead testing rates and to address racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in lead poisoning. School nurses also contribute to the development, updating, and implementation of the statewide screening plan. Most importantly, when a child tests positive for an elevated blood lead level, school nurses are uniquely positioned to connect that student and family with the academic and health resources needed for success.

This Act adds a school nurse as a member on the CLPPAC. The presence of a school nurse as a voting member will strengthen the Committee’s work and ensure that the voices of those most directly supporting children are represented in both policy and practice.

Current Bill Text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. K. Williams & Sen. Pinkney

Reps. Lynn, Berry, Gorman, Lambert; Sens. Sturgeon, Cruce

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 264

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 RELATING TO THE CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING PREVENTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend § 2605, Title 16 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows and by redesignating accordingly:

§ 2605. Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Advisory Committee.

(c) The Committee consists of the following:

(1) The Secretary of the Department of Education.

(2) The Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services.

(3) The Secretary of the Department of Services for Children, Youth & their Families.

(4) The Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority.

(5) The President of the Delaware Association of School Administrators.

(6) The President of the Delaware Association of Realtors.

(7) A Delaware pediatric provider, appointed by the Governor.

(8) Five members, appointed by the Governor, with at least 1 from each county.

(9) One member, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(10) One member, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

(11) One member who is a school nurse in this State, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Delaware School Nurse Association may provide a list of potential nominees, which the Speaker of the House may consider.

SYNOPSIS

School nurses are a vital link in implementing the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act and in preventing lead poisoning among Delaware’s children. Since the 1990s, school nurses have been on the front lines of ensuring that students entering pre-kindergarten and kindergarten have a lead screening completed prior to the start of school.

The Delaware School Nurse Association (DSNA) Advocacy Committee has actively participated in the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Advisory Committee (CLPPAC) as a stakeholder, collaborating to improve blood lead testing rates and to address racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in lead poisoning. School nurses also contribute to the development, updating, and implementation of the statewide screening plan. Most importantly, when a child tests positive for an elevated blood lead level, school nurses are uniquely positioned to connect that student and family with the academic and health resources needed for success.

This Act adds a school nurse as a member on the CLPPAC. The presence of a school nurse as a voting member will strengthen the Committee’s work and ensure that the voices of those most directly supporting children are represented in both policy and practice.