701.340. Childhood lead testing program established--test to be used--parental objection.

Childhood lead testing program established--test to be used--parentalobjection.

701.340. 1. Beginning January 1, 2002, the department of health andsenior services shall, subject to appropriations, implement a childhoodlead testing program which requires every child less than six years of ageto be tested for lead poisoning in accordance with the provisions ofsections 701.340 to 701.349. In coordination with the department of healthand senior services, every health care facility serving children less thansix years of age, including but not limited to hospitals and clinicslicensed pursuant to chapter 197, RSMo, shall take appropriate steps toensure that their patients receive such lead poisoning testing.

2. The test for lead poisoning shall consist of a blood sample thatshall be sent for analysis to a laboratory licensed pursuant to the federalClinical Lab Improvement Act (CLIA). The department of health and seniorservices shall, by rule, determine the blood test protocol to be used.

3. Nothing in sections 701.340 to 701.349 shall be construed torequire a child to undergo lead testing whose parent or guardian objects tothe testing in a written statement that states the parent's or guardian'sreason for refusing such testing.

(L. 2001 S.B. 266)