SB 1083 -- LEAD TESTING FOR CHILDREN SPONSOR: Kennedy (Schaaf) COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on Health Care Policy by a vote of 11 to 0. This bill makes changes to the laws regarding lead testing in children. Currently, the Department of Health and Senior Services is required to identify geographic areas in Missouri that are at high risk for lead poisoning. All children who are six months of age through six years of age who reside more than 10 hours a week in these areas are required to be tested annually by the department for lead poisoning. In addition, children six months of age through six years of age who do not reside more than 10 hours a week in the high-risk areas are required to be assessed through an annual questionnaire by the department to determine if they are at high risk for lead poisoning. The bill changes the age requirement to apply to all children less than six years of age. FISCAL NOTE: No impact on state funds in FY 2005, FY 2006, and FY 2007. PROPONENTS: Supporters say that the bill makes technical changes which are consistent with current departmental screening practices for the presence of lead toxicity in children. Testifying for the bill were Senator Kennedy; and Department of Health and Senior Services. OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee. Joseph Deering, Legislative Analyst