Section 15 – Lead exposure public education and testing.

• (1) The department shall establish a child blood lead epidemiology and surveillance program to:
  • (a) encourage pediatric health care providers to include a lead test in accordance with the department’s recommendations under Subsection (2); and
  • (b) conduct a public education program to inform parents of children who are two years old or younger regarding:
    • (i) the effects of lead exposure in children;
    • (ii) the availability of free screening and testing for lead exposure; and
    • (iii) other available preventative measures.

• (2) The department may recommend consideration of screening and testing during the first year or second year well child clinical visit.

• (3)
  • (a) The department shall provide the information described in Subsection (1) to organizations that regularly provide care or services for children who are 5 years old or younger.
  • (b) The department may work with the following organizations to share the information described in Subsection (1):
    • (i) a child care program licensed under Title 26, Chapter 39, Utah Child Care Licensing Act, and the employees of the child care program;
    • (ii) a health care facility licensed under Title 26, Chapter 21, Health Care Facility Licensing and Inspection Act;
    • (iii) a person providing child care under a program that is described in Subsection 26-39-403(2);
    • (iv) an individual offering health education in a school district, including a school nurse under Section 53G-9-204;
    • (v) a health care provider offering care to pregnant women and infants;
    • (vi) a religious, ecclesiastical, or denominational organization offering children’s programs as a part of worship services;
    • (vii) an organization that advocates for public education, testing, and screening of children for lead exposure;
    • (viii) a local health department as defined in Section 26A-1-102; and
    • (ix) any other person that the department believes would advance public education regarding the effects of lead exposure on children.

• (4) The department shall seek grant funding to fund the program created in this section.

Enacted by Chapter 161, 2021 General Session