AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LEAD TESTING.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not provide specific details on when it becomes effective or what updates are required for existing regulations.

Act to Change Lead Testing Rules

This act changes how lead levels in children's blood are confirmed by allowing two capillary blood screenings within 12 weeks or a venous blood test.

What This Bill Does

• Changes the definition of confirmatory blood lead testing for kids under 16 years old to include either one venous blood test or two capillary tests done within 12 weeks, provided that the applicable lead reference value is met or exceeded.

Who It Names or Affects

• Children under 16 years of age
• Healthcare providers who conduct lead testing

Terms To Know

Venous blood test

A type of blood test where blood is drawn from a vein.

Capillary blood screening

A type of blood test done on a small sample taken from the finger or heel.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify when it becomes effective.
• It requires updates to existing regulations, but these are not detailed in the summary.

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LEAD TESTING.
This Act amends the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act to update the statutory definition of confirmatory blood lead testing for children under 16 years of age. The Act allows a confirmed elevated blood lead level to be established either through a venous blood lead test or through two capillary blood lead screenings collected within 12 weeks of each other, provided that the applicable lead reference value is met or exceeded. Two positive capillary blood lead screenings yield an effective specificity of approximately 99.75% when properly collected. This change is consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveillance case definition, reduces barriers to case identification and management, and requires conforming regulatory updates.

Current Bill Text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. K. Williams & Sen. Pinkney

Reps. Lynn, Berry

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 312

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LEAD TESTING.

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

Section 1. Amend § 2601, Title 16 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 2601. Short title; definitions.

(b) For purposes of this chapter:

(6) “Testing” means

a venous blood lead test where blood is drawn from a vein.

any of the following:

a. A venous blood test in which blood is drawn from a vein.

b. Two capillary blood screenings collected within 12 weeks of each other.

SYNOPSIS

This Act amends the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act to update the statutory definition of confirmatory blood lead testing for children under 16 years of age. The Act allows a confirmed elevated blood lead level to be established either through a venous blood lead test or through two capillary blood lead screenings collected within 12 weeks of each other, provided that the applicable lead reference value is met or exceeded. Two positive capillary blood lead screenings yield an effective specificity of approximately 99.75% when properly collected. This change is consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveillance case definition, reduces barriers to case identification and management, and requires conforming regulatory updates.