AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- LEAD POISONING PREVENTION ACT (Allows a clinical laboratory, that is incorporated in the State of Rhode Island, to analyze blood samples, from children under the age of six (6) years, for blood lead levels.)

H7191

2026 -- H 7191
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LC003940
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- LEAD POISONING PREVENTION ACT

Introduced By:
Representatives Phillips, J. Brien, Chippendale, Nardone, Place, Hull,
Azzinaro, and Shanley

Date Introduced:
January 21, 2026

Referred To:
House Health & Human Services
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 23-24.6-7 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-24.6 entitled "Lead
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Poisoning Prevention Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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23-24.6-7. Screening by health care providers.
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(a) The department shall promulgate regulations establishing the means by which and the
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intervals at which children under six (6) years of age shall be screened for lead poisoning. The
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department is also authorized to require screening for lead poisoning in other high risk groups.
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(b) Each physician registered or licensed by Rhode Island or any agency of Rhode Island
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shall screen children under six (6) years of age for lead poisoning at the intervals and using the
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methods specified in the regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (a). Each licensed, registered
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or approved health care facility serving children under six (6) years of age, including but not limited
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to hospitals, clinics, and health maintenance organizations, shall take appropriate steps to ensure
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that their patients receive screening for lead poisoning at the intervals and using the methods
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specified in these regulations.
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(c) All health care programs funded in whole or in part with state money and having child
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health components shall include, require, and/or provide for screening children under six (6) years
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of age for lead poisoning at the intervals and using the methods specified in the regulations
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promulgated under this section.
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(d) The provisions of this section shall not apply if the parents of the child object to the
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child undergoing blood lead screening on the grounds that the screening conflicts with their

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religious tenets and practices.
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(e) All blood samples taken by physicians or other health care providers licensed in Rhode
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Island or by licensed, registered, or approved health care facilities in Rhode Island from children
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under the age of six (6) years for the purpose of screening for blood lead level shall be sent to
either

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the state laboratory in the department of health
or a clinical laboratory, as defined in § 23-16.2-2,
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that is operated by an entity incorporated in the State of Rhode Island,
for laboratory analysis.
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(f) The department shall, at least annually, analyze and summarize all of the lead screening
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information provided by physicians, health care facilities, and laboratories and provide this
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information to all other local and state agencies involved with case management and lead hazard
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reduction. An analysis and summary of the data shall also be made available, at least annually, to
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the health care community, to the general assembly, and the general public in a format that is easily
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understandable to non-technical readers.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- LEAD POISONING PREVENTION ACT
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This act would allow a clinical laboratory, that is incorporated in the State of Rhode Island,
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to analyze blood samples, from children under the age of six (6) years, for blood lead levels.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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