Universal lead testing will be on the table when the state legislature returns to session.
State leaders left universal lead testing for young children on the cutting room floor when they passed another lead bill earlier this year.
That law now requires doctors to test pregnant women and young children if they are at risk of lead exposure. Now, state senator Lisa Baker is revisiting universal testing,
"We are building upon Senate bill 522 and reintroducing the bill to make it a requirement. Unfortunately the legislation was amended at the end of the session and the mandate was removed."
Her bill would require testing for all children by the time they're two. A recent study found about 31% of Pennsylvania kids under two are tested per year.
"To me, this is a common sense child protective measure and a public health measure. It's a simple blood test that could tell if a child's been exposed. Then steps could be taken to mitigate that harm for that child," explains Baker.
The law passed last year initially included a similar requirement, but was amended to exclude it before a vote.
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