Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB916

Introduced
3/17/25  

Caption

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.

Impact

If enacted, HB 916 would require significant changes in the way healthcare providers conduct blood lead testing and screening programs. This legislation emphasizes the need for early diagnosis and treatment to mitigate the irreversible effects of lead poisoning. It mandates that health insurance policies cover these tests, aiming for wider access to preventive healthcare services and improving the overall responsiveness of the healthcare system to lead exposure concerns.

Summary

House Bill 916 seeks to amend the existing Childhood Blood Lead Test Act to enhance the lead screening and testing requirements for children and pregnant women. The bill reinforces the imperative of blood lead assessments by mandating that all children under the age of two receive at least one blood lead test. Additionally, it focuses on ensuring that pregnant women also undergo testing if they are identified with risk factors associated with lead exposure. The modifications in the bill aim to strengthen the health provisions that safeguard vulnerable populations from the effects of lead poisoning.

Contention

Some points of contention regarding HB 916 may arise from its increased interventionist stance on health assessments, with arguments likely revolving around the adequacy of medical compliance and potential burden on healthcare providers. While supporters advocate for the proactive approach to prevent lead-related health issues, critics may question the effectiveness of such regulatory measures, particularly regarding how health care providers will manage and communicate the necessity and implications of these tests to families.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB2041

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.

PA SB850

Further providing for legislative purpose, for definitions, for lead poisoning prevention, assessment and testing and for blood lead assessment and testing coverage.

PA HB1270

Further providing for title of act, for legislative purpose, for definitions, for lead poisoning prevention, assessment and testing and for duties of department.

PA HB856

In sales and use tax, further providing for assessment; in personal income tax, further providing for assessment; in corporate net income tax, further providing for assessments; in procedure and administration, further providing for petition for reassessment; and, in general provisions, further providing for petitions for refunds and providing for compromise or adjustment of assessments.

PA HB640

In powers and duties of the Department of Public Welfare and its departmental administrative and advisory boards and commissions, providing for managed care organization assessment, for intermediate care facilities for persons with an intellectual disability assessments, for hospital assessments, for Statewide quality care assessments and for nursing facility assessment; in powers and duties of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, further providing for powers and duties; in judicial administration, further providing for surcharge and fee; and making repeals .

PA HB409

Further providing for definitions, for test results and for duties of Department of Health.

PA SB826

Further providing for definitions; providing for Lyme disease testing disclosure; and imposing duties on health care practitioners.

PA SB1211

In casualty insurance, further providing for coverage for biomarker testing.

PA SB84

In construction and renovation of buildings by school entities, further providing for definitions and for building condition assessments.

PA HB574

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions and providing for disaster emergency declaration and for testing requirement, duty to report and public access; in powers and duties, further providing for powers and duties of department; and, in liability and settlement procedures, further providing for responsible person.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.