BILL NUMBER: S1816
SPONSOR: FERNANDEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to the definition of
elevated blood lead levels
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill will lower the numeric definition of elevated lead levels in
public health law from 5 to 3.5 micrograms.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the public health law to change the definition of
"elevated lead levels."
Section 2 requires the DOH to adopt all necessary regulations related to
this change.
Section 3 sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
On October 29, 2021 the United States Centers for Disease Control and
Preventions (CDC) updated its blood lead reference value to reflect 3.5
micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood as being harmful. Following
this, it is incumbent upon the State of New York to accordingly take
action by updating its public health law pertaining to this matter in
order to ensure that New Yorkers stay safe from elevated blood lead
levels which can have adverse effects, especially on children.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S5292
2022: A8564a
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
TBD
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S1816: 1370 public health law, 1370(6) public health law