Relating to: requirement for certain telecommunications providers to provide basic voice service.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Steve Nass

Senate Bill 395 mandates lead screening for minors in Arkansas, aiming to protect children's health by identifying and addressing lead poisoning risks early.

Received from Senate

# Summary of Senate Bill 395: Relating to Lead Poisoning ## Purpose and Intent Senate Bill 395 (SB 395) aims to address the issue of lead poisoning in Arkansas, particularly focusing on the health and safety of minors. The bill seeks to establish mandatory lead screening tests for children and to enhance the Department of Health's (DOH) recommendations and reporting related to lead exposure. ## Key Provisions - **Mandatory Lead Screening**: The bill proposes that all minors be subjected to lead screening tests to identify and mitigate lead poisoning risks early. - **Recommendations and Reporting**: The DOH will be tasked with developing guidelines and recommendations for lead screening, as well as reporting on lead exposure cases and trends. - **Amendments to Existing Laws**: The bill amends existing laws related to lead poisoning, ensuring that they reflect current public health needs and practices. ## Affected Parties - **Minors**: The primary focus of the bill is on children, particularly those at risk of lead exposure due to environmental factors. - **Parents and Guardians**: Families will be directly impacted as they will need to comply with the new screening requirements. - **Healthcare Providers**: Medical professionals will be responsible for administering the lead screening tests and reporting results to the DOH. - **Department of Health**: The DOH will have increased responsibilities in terms of guidelines, recommendations, and reporting. ## Procedural Aspects - **Introduced**: March 5, 2025 - **Current Status**: The bill has been re-referred to the Health, Human Services, and Consumer Protection (HHS/CPN) and the Ways and Means (WAM) committees. - **Legislative Actions**: - March 5, 2025: Filed and read for the first time. - Subsequent readings and referrals occurred, with the bill facing various committee reviews. - **Died in Committee**: The bill did not progress past the Senate Committee stage and was effectively halted at the Sine Die adjournment on May 5, 2025. ## Conclusion SB 395 represents a legislative effort to combat lead poisoning among minors in Arkansas through mandatory screening and enhanced public health recommendations. Although it has not progressed through the legislative process, the bill highlights the ongoing concern regarding lead exposure and its impact on children's health.