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HB 1369

Health, Dept. of - As introduced, requires the department to make available and require blood lead level testing for students in certain schools and certain pregnant women; requires the department to provide to persons who have high blood lead levels or lead poisoning certain services to aid with such condition; requires juvenile detention facilities that are aware of a juvenile in custody with high blood lead levels or lead poisoning to provide certain services in collaboration with the department and local education agencies. - Amends TCA Title 37; Title 49; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Jesse Chism

Tennessee requires health departments and schools to test students and pregnant women for lead exposure and provide treatment services, including coordination with juvenile detention facilities.

Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/14/2026
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Bill Summary · HB 1369

Legislative bill overview

HB 1369 mandates that Tennessee's Department of Health establish blood lead level testing programs for students in certain schools and pregnant women, while requiring the department to provide support services to individuals diagnosed with high lead levels or lead poisoning. The bill also obligates juvenile detention facilities to coordinate with the Department of Health and local education agencies to provide services for detained youth with lead poisoning.

Why is this important

Lead exposure, particularly in children, can cause irreversible neurological damage, developmental delays, and learning disabilities, making early detection critical for public health. The bill addresses a documented environmental health threat by creating systematic screening and intervention mechanisms across vulnerable populations—students, pregnant women, and incarcerated youth—who may lack access to lead testing otherwise.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding and implementation costs: The bill creates new testing and service provision mandates without specifying budget allocations, raising questions about whether schools and detention facilities have adequate resources
  • Scope ambiguity: "Certain schools" and "certain pregnant women" lacks precise definition, potentially creating implementation inconsistency and disputes over which facilities and populations must comply
  • Regulatory burden on facilities: Juvenile detention centers face additional coordination requirements with state and local agencies, which could strain already-limited detention facility resources

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

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