By Paul Hammel
http://www.omaha.com/article/20120322/NEWS01/703239999#lead-prevention-bill-advances
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU
LINCOLN — The state would be required to set up a lead poisoning prevention and education program under a bill given first-round approval in the Nebraska Legislature on Thursday.
Legislative Bill 1038 is a watered-down version of a proposal that has been sought by Sen. Brenda Council of Omaha in recent years to address childhood exposure to lead-based paint in housing in older sections of the city.
Council had originally proposed to mandate lead-poisoning tests for all children entering kindergarten, but she said she agreed to a compromise in the face of a threatened veto from Gov. Dave Heineman.
Under the amended LB 1038, the only mandate would be for testing of kids who receive state-subsidized health care. It would also encourage testing for children who live in areas that have high incidence of lead-poisoning cases or who meet certain risk factors.
Council said that only about 33 percent of children in the state Medicaid program are being tested for lead poisoning, so the bill should increase the number of children who are tested. The bill will also require the state to develop educational and outreach efforts.
“Advocates say this is a great first step,” the senator said.
