81R11454 SJM-F
By: Gutierrez H.B. No. 2621
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to requiring an assessment by health care providers of the
risk of lead poisoning of certain children.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 88, Health and Safety Code, is amended by
adding Section 88.010 to read as follows:
Sec. 88.010. LEAD POISONING RISK ASSESSMENT. (a) In this
section:
(1) "Department" means the Department of State Health
Services.
(2) "Health care provider" means an individual or
facility licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to
administer health care, for profit or otherwise, in the ordinary
course of business or professional practice and includes a
physician.
(b) The department shall collect comprehensive data
regarding the risk of lead poisoning among children in this state.
(c) During an annual wellness exam a health care provider
shall assess, using the department's risk assessment for lead
exposure questionnaire, for lead poisoning a child who is younger
than seven years of age and:
(1) whose medical costs are covered under the Medicaid
program; or
(2) who lives in a targeted area designated by the
department as a high risk area for lead poisoning.
(d) A health care provider that conducts an assessment under
Subsection (c) shall report the results of the assessment to the
department on the form prescribed by the department.
(e) Not later than October 1, 2010, the department shall
submit to the legislature a written report regarding the data
collected under this section. The report must include an analysis
of the risk of lead poisoning by geographical area.
(f) This section expires December 31, 2010.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.