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HB 5975

Children: health; referral of certain children with elevated blood lead levels to the Early On program administered by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential; require. Amends sec. 5474 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.5474).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joseph Fox and 1 co-sponsor

The bill requires referring under-3 children with elevated blood lead levels to Early On and expands reporting, outreach, and data on lead poisoning prevention.

referred to second reading
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Bill Summary · HB 5975

Summary of HB 5975 (2025-2026) – Michigan

Purpose and intent

  • The bill amends the Public Health Code (MCL 333.5474) to strengthen the state’s lead poisoning prevention framework for children, with a specific focus on linking certain cases of elevated blood lead levels to the Early On program administered by the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (the department referred to as “Early On”).
  • Aims to improve identification, referral, and ongoing management of lead exposure in young children, particularly those under age 3.

Key provisions and changes

  • Reporting threshold and trigger for action

    • Currently, the department must contact a local health department or physician when a child’s blood lead level exceeds 10 micrograms per deciliter.
    • HB 5975 changes the trigger to: when a child has an “elevated blood lead level” (a definitional concept already used in the code for certain age ranges). The term “elevated blood lead level” has age-specific definitions (for young children, including the thresholds defined by the CDC and state rules).
    • In practice, the bill shifts how data are described (from a simple “above 10 µg/dL” to the broader category of an “elevated blood lead level” as defined in statute).

  • Mandatory referral to Early On for very young children

    • If a local health department or physician is notified of a child under 3 years old with an elevated blood lead level, they must refer that child to the Early On program (the state’s early intervention program for infants/toddlers with developmental delays or health concerns).

  • Program operation and outreach requirements (lead poisoning prevention program)

    • The department must establish a lead poisoning prevention program with:
    • A coordinated plan to prevent childhood lead poisoning and reduce exposure to lead-based hazards.
    • An educational and community outreach component, including materials for healthcare providers, child care providers, public schools, landlords/tenants, and parents. Materials must be available to local/state community groups, legal services, and tenant organizations on request.
    • A technical assistance system for healthcare providers to manage cases of childhood lead poisoning, including mandatory reporting of all blood lead test results to the department.

  • Annual reporting to Legislature

    • By July 1 of each year, the department must report to the legislature (initial report due by January 1, 1999, and annually thereafter) the number of children under 6 screened for lead poisoning who had elevated levels above the threshold. The report must compare current-year data with prior years and include recommendations to improve compliance with CDC guidelines, including any needed legislation or funding.

  • Expenditure reporting

    • By July 1 each year, the department must prepare a written report on expenditures for the lead poisoning prevention program, detailing amounts, sources of funding, and how funds were used. This report must be provided to the appropriate legislative committees and made available to the public on request.

Who is affected

  • Children: Particularly those under 3 years old with elevated blood lead levels, who would be referred to Early On.
  • Local health departments and physicians: Responsible for notifying the department of elevated cases and—when applicable—referring eligible children to Early On.
  • Early On program and the department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential: Would see increased referrals and program usage, potentially expanding Early On caseload and services.
  • Public health and healthcare providers: Subject to enhanced reporting requirements and new referral obligations.
  • State legislators and the public: Annual expenditure and program effectiveness reporting would increase transparency.

Fiscal impact and timeline

  • Cost implications: The bill would increase costs for Early On due to additional referrals. The statute currently has an appropriation of $23.7 million for Early On under the School Aid Act, but that funding is not sufficient to serve all eligible children; the full cost implications are still being assessed.
  • State funding and discretion: Any expansion would depend on future appropriations to Early On and related program components.
  • Effective timeline: Provisions would begin subject to enactment and operate on an annual cycle for reporting and referrals, with the first annual reporting requirements aligning with the existing schedule (initial reference date for the lead-poisoning data reporting remains tied to fiscal year reporting cycles, with updates through subsequent years).

Practical takeaways

  • The bill tightens linkage between elevated lead exposure in very young children and access to Early On services.
  • It standardizes and expands the role of local health departments and physicians in early intervention for lead exposure.
  • It enhances the state’s data collection, reporting, and accountability on lead poisoning prevention and expenditure use.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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