HF 2258

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to health; requiring a health risk level standard for exposure to arsenic;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 144.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [144.966] ARSENIC HEALTH RISK STANDARD.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Arsenic health risk standard established. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of
health in cooperation with the commissioners of agriculture and the Pollution Control
Agency responsible for monitoring land and water cleanup and soil contamination
information shall determine a health risk standard for human exposure to arsenic. The
commissioner of health shall ensure that the established arsenic health risk standard is
included in all information provided to the public.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Information. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of health, in consultation with the
commissioners of agriculture and the Pollution Control Agency with jurisdiction over
soil and water contamination, shall establish a central information source available to
the public to provide accurate information on arsenic soil and water contamination in
residential areas.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Testing for arsenic. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of health shall ensure access
to medical testing for arsenical pesticide exposure to persons living within one mile of
the CMC Heartland Lite Yard Superfund site who are not covered by health insurance or
medical assistance.
new text end

new text begin (b) Through an agreement with the United States Environmental Protection Agency,
the commissioner shall ensure soil testing is available to households within one mile of the
CMC Heartland Lite Yard Superfund site at no cost to the residents.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Evaluation. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of health shall evaluate the cumulative
health impact burdens of environmental toxins in the residential communities impacted by
arsenic-contaminated soil from the CMC Heartland Lite Yard Superfund site. The first
priority shall be to evaluate health burdens to those communities experiencing health
disparities as documented by the Minority and Multicultural Health Division of the
Minnesota Department of Health.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin MEDICAL ASSISTANCE COVERAGE FOR ARSENIC TESTING.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services shall ensure that testing for arsenic under
section 1, subdivision 3, is covered under medical assistance.
new text end