Bill Text - SB399 (2024)

Relative to insurance coverage for blood testing associated with elevated lead levels.


Revision: Nov. 18, 2023, 5:05 p.m.

 

2024 SESSION

24-2946.0

05/08

 

SENATE BILL [bill number]

 

AN ACT relative to the prevention and treatment of childhood lead poisoning, establishing a lead paint primary prevention fund, and making an appropriation therefor.

 

SPONSORS: [sponsors]

 

COMMITTEE: [committee]

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill expands mandatory health insurance coverage for blood tests associated with elevated lead levels.  The bill also establishes the lead paint primary prevention fund in the housing finance authority and makes a $1 appropriation to the fund.

 

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

24-2946.0

05/08

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four

 

AN ACT relative to the prevention and treatment of childhood lead poisoning, establishing a lead paint primary prevention fund, and making an appropriation therefor.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  Short Title.  This act shall be known as the lead poisoning prevention and treatment act of 2024.

2  Accident and Health Insurance.  Amend RSA 415:6-v to read as follows:

415:6-v Coverage for Blood Lead Testing. Each insurer that issues or renews any individual policy, plan, or contract of accident or health insurance providing benefits for medical or hospital expenses shall provide to persons covered by such insurance who are residents of this state coverage for [the costs of blood lead testing conducted pursuant to RSA 130-A:5-a. Benefits provided under this section shall not be subject to any greater co-payment, deductible, or coinsurance than any other similar benefits provided by the insurer.] any and all costs associated with blood lead testing conducted pursuant to RSA 130-A:5-a, including any and all costs associated with necessary follow-up testing should an elevated blood lead at or above the level that warrants notification pursuant to RSA 130-A:6 be discovered.

3  Accident and Health Insurance.  Amend RSA 415:18-aa to read as follows:

415:18-aa Coverage for Blood Lead Testing.  Each insurer that issues or renews any policy of group or blanket accident or health insurance providing benefits for medical or hospital expenses shall provide to each group, or to the portion of each group comprised of certificate holders of such insurance who are residents of this state, coverage for [the costs of blood lead testing conducted pursuant to RSA 130-A:5-a. Benefits provided under this section shall not be subject to any greater co-payment, deductible, or coinsurance than any other similar benefits provided by the insurer.] any and all costs associated with blood lead testing conducted pursuant to RSA 130-A:5-a, including any and all costs associated with necessary follow-up testing should an elevated blood lead at or above the level that warrants notification pursuant to RSA 130-A:6 be discovered.

4  New Section; Lead Paint Primary Prevention Fund.  Amend RSA 204-C by inserting after section 92 the following new section:

204-C:93  Lead Paint Primary Prevention Fund Established.

I.  There is hereby established within the treasury the lead paint primary prevention fund, which shall be kept separate and distinct from all other funds.  The nonlapsing fund shall be continually appropriated to the authority for the purpose of primary prevention interventions of a property before a child is poisoned.  The lead paint primary prevention fund shall be composed of unobligated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, appropriations, gifts, grants, donations, bequests, or other moneys from any public or private source.

II.  The authority may use the lead paint primary prevention fund to make loans to owners of properties for the costs of primary prevention interventions, such as lead hazard controls.  Loans may be made provided that such interventions are conducted in accordance with lead-safe practices under applicable laws and regulations.

III.  The authority may use up to 5 percent of any funds deposited in the lead paint primary prevention fund for program administration.  

IV.  The authority, in consultation with the department of health and human services, childhood lead poisoning, prevention program, shall adopt rules under 541-A regarding fund administration and program eligibility.  

5  New Subparagraph; Dedicated Funds; Reference Added.  Amend RSA 6:12, I(b) by inserting after subparagraph (394) the following new subparagraph:

(395)  Moneys deposited in the lead paint primary prevention fund established under RSA 204-C:93.

6  Appropriation; Lead Paint Primary Prevention Fund.  The sum of $1 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 is hereby appropriated to the lead primary prevention fund established in RSA 204-C:93.  The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

7  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect June 30, 2024.