§ 23-24.6-7. Screening by health care providers.
(a) The department shall promulgate regulations establishing the means by which and the intervals at which children under six (6) years of age shall be screened for lead poisoning. The department is also authorized to require screening for lead poisoning in other high risk groups.
(b) Each physician registered or licensed by Rhode Island or any agency of Rhode Island shall screen children under six (6) years of age for lead poisoning at the intervals and using the methods specified in the regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (a). Each licensed, registered or approved health care facility serving children under six (6) years of age, including but not limited to hospitals, clinics, and health maintenance organizations, shall take appropriate steps to ensure that their patients receive screening for lead poisoning at the intervals and using the methods specified in these regulations.
(c) All health care programs funded in whole or in part with state money and having child health components shall include, require, and/or provide for screening children under six (6) years of age for lead poisoning at the intervals and using the methods specified in the regulations promulgated under this section.
(d) The provisions of this section shall not apply if the parents of the child object to the child undergoing blood lead screening on the grounds that the screening conflicts with their religious tenets and practices.
(e) All blood samples taken by physicians or other health care providers licensed in Rhode Island or by licensed, registered, or approved health care facilities in Rhode Island from children under the age of six (6) years for the purpose of screening for blood lead level shall be sent to the state laboratory in the department of health for laboratory analysis.
(f) The department shall, at least annually, analyze and summarize all of the lead screening information provided by physicians, health care facilities, and laboratories and provide this information to all other local and state agencies involved with case management and lead hazard reduction. An analysis and summary of the data shall also be made available, at least annually, to the health care community, to the general assembly, and the general public in a format that is easily understandable to non-technical readers.
History of Section.P.L. 1991, ch. 355, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 86, § 10.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 23-24.6 - Lead Poisoning Prevention Act
Section 23-24.6-1. - Short title.
Section 23-24.6-2. - Legislative findings.
Section 23-24.6-3. - Declaration of purposes.
Section 23-24.6-4. - Definitions.
Section 23-24.6-5. - Environmental lead program.
Section 23-24.6-6. - Interagency coordinating council on environmental lead.
Section 23-24.6-7. - Screening by health care providers.
Section 23-24.6-8. - Screening prior to child care or school enrollment.
Section 23-24.6-9. - Reimbursement by third party payers.
Section 23-24.6-10. - Lead screening restricted receipt account.
Section 23-24.6-11. - Reporting of cases of lead poisoning.
Section 23-24.6-12. - Comprehensive environmental lead inspections.
Section 23-24.6-13. - State inspectors.
Section 23-24.6-14. - Inspection of child care facilities.
Section 23-24.6-15. - Inspections of rental property.
Section 23-24.6-16. - Notice prior to residential property transfer.
Section 23-24.6-17. - Lead hazard reduction.
Section 23-24.6-18. - Revisions to Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Code.
Section 23-24.6-19. - Fugitive dust.
Section 23-24.6-19.1. - Sale of abrasive materials for removal of paint.
Section 23-24.6-21. - Laboratory testing and reporting requirement certification.
Section 23-24.6-22. - Licensure and certification — Receipts.
Section 23-24.6-23. - Compliance and enforcement.
Section 23-24.6-24. - Exemptions.
Section 23-24.6-25. - Interpretation and severability.