AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 37; Title 49; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to blood lead level testing.
Summary
SB1255 requires the Tennessee Department of Health to make educational materials available and to provide information about blood lead level testing to pregnant women who receive WIC vouchers. The bill also directs the department to give these women information on specialized nutritional services, ways to reduce lead in the body, and other wraparound services for people with elevated blood lead levels or lead poisoning.
The measure is focused on early identification and prevention of lead exposure during pregnancy, especially for low-income women participating in the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children. Although the bill text is brief, it amends Tennessee law in Title 68 and is described in the caption as relating to blood lead level testing, with references to other titles suggesting a broader public health and child welfare context.
Impact
The bill adds a new public health requirement in Tennessee Code Annotated Title 68 by directing the Department of Health to provide lead-testing education and related support information to pregnant WIC participants. It does not create a new testing mandate in the text provided, but it expands state outreach and counseling obligations and ties lead exposure prevention to existing nutrition assistance and health services. The caption indicates related amendments to Titles 37, 49, 63, 68, and 71, suggesting coordination with child welfare, education, professional health practice, public health, and human services programs.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad bipartisan support and little visible opposition. It passed the Senate Health and Welfare Committee 8-1, then cleared the Senate floor 32-0 and the House on final passage 87-0. The strong final votes suggest general agreement that the measure addresses an important maternal and child health issue.
Contention
The only notable resistance reflected in the record is the single no vote in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, but no committee transcript is available to show the reason. Because the bill is framed as an education and referral measure rather than a direct testing mandate, any concern likely centered on implementation, scope, or administrative burden rather than the underlying goal of reducing lead exposure. No other specific points of contention are documented in the materials provided.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 8; Title 33; Title 36; Title 37; Title 48; Title 49; Title 52; Title 53; Title 55; Title 56; Title 62; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to health.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 8; Title 33; Title 36; Title 37; Title 48; Title 49; Title 52; Title 53; Title 55; Title 56; Title 62; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to health.