Bill
A 4327
lowers the definition of “elevated blood lead level” to ≥3.5 µg/dL or CDC’s latest guidance, expanding eligibility for lead‑response services.
Note on document discrepancy
- The bill information line provided a different title (relating to confessions of judgment). The legislative text and committee statement supplied here clearly concern lead poisoning policy—specifically revising the statutory definition of “elevated blood lead level.” This summary is based on the bill text and committee materials supplied (A4327 as it amends P.L.1995, c.328 / C.26:2‑137.3).
Bill at a glance
- Bill number: A4327 (1R, reprint AHE 6/17/24)
- Purpose: Revise New Jersey’s statutory definition of “elevated blood lead level.”
- Sponsor(s): Reprint shows Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds‑Jackson; additional sponsors/co‑sponsors listed in materials include Grace Lee, Chris Burdick, William Colton, Rebecca Seawright, Al Taylor, Yudelka Tapia, and Jeffrey Dinowitz (see bill record).
- Introduced: May 10, 2024; committee amendments reported June 17, 2024.
- Current status: Advanced to third reading (Cal. 51) as of March 6, 2025.
- Effective date: Immediately upon enactment.
Main change / intent
- The bill revises the statutory threshold for what constitutes an “elevated blood lead level.” Current law defines it as a blood lead level ≥ 5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL). A4327 lowers that numeric threshold to 3.5 µg/dL and, as amended, ties the statutory definition to the latest CDC recommendations—i.e., “equals or exceeds 3.5 micrograms per deciliter or other such amount as may be identified in the most recent recommendations from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and that necessitates the undertaking of responsive action.”
Key provisions
- Amends section 2 of P.L.1995, c.328 (C.26:2‑137.3) to:
- Redefine “elevated blood lead level” to ≥ 3.5 µg/dL or the level specified in the most recent CDC recommendations.
- Preserve the statutory language linking an elevated level to levels that “necessitate the undertaking of responsive action.”
- No other statutory sections or programmatic requirements are changed in the text provided.
- The bill takes effect immediately.
Who would be affected / likely impacts
- Children and families: More children with lower blood lead concentrations would meet the statutory definition of “elevated” and therefore become eligible for public‑health case management, follow‑up testing, and recommended interventions.
- Public health agencies (NJ Department of Health, local health departments): Will need to adopt the revised threshold in screening, reporting, and follow‑up protocols and may update guidance and outreach materials to reflect the CDC‑linked threshold.
- Healthcare providers: May see increased screening, reporting, and referral activity in accordance with state requirements.
- Housing/property owners and environmental/lead‑abatement programs: Potentially greater demand for environmental investigations and lead remediation where children are newly identified with elevated levels.
- State/local budgets and service capacity: Expanded caseloads for surveillance, case management, and abatement programs could create additional resource needs (not quantified in the bill text).
Relationship to other legislation
- Companion Senate bill(s): S3707 and S3695 noted as related/companion measures.
- Prior‑session bills: A3636, A2443, A7196 listed as prior‑session related measures.
Procedural notes
- Committee amendments (reported June 17, 2024) clarified/updated the definition to reference the CDC’s most recent recommendations (in addition to specifying 3.5 µg/dL).
- The bill was reported out of the Assembly Health Committee and subsequently advanced to third reading (Calendar No. 51).
Summary assessment
- A4327 is a narrowly focused statutory amendment that lowers the explicit numeric trigger for an “elevated” blood lead result and builds flexibility into the statute by deferring to the CDC’s latest guidance. The practical effect would be to broaden the pool of children eligible for state and local lead‑response services and align New Jersey’s statutory language with evolving federal public health guidance.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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