1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to health; lowering the blood lead level that constitutes an elevated blood 
1.3 	lead level in the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act;amending Minnesota Statutes 
1.4 	2014, section 144.9501, subdivision 9.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.
 1.7 	(a) In the 2014 report, The Economic Burden of the Environment on Two Childhood 
1.8 	Diseases: Asthma and Lead Poisoning in Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of 
1.9 	Health found:
1.10 	(1) there is no safe level of exposure to lead;
1.11 	(2) elevated blood lead levels in young children are associated with adverse health 
1.12 	effects, including learning impairments, behavioral problems, and death when blood 
1.13 	lead levels are very high;
1.14 	(3) children in poverty are at greater risk for lead poisoning; and
1.15 	(4) younger children are at greater risk for lead poisoning because their bodies 
1.16 	absorb lead more easily and their brains are still developing.
1.17 	(b) Based on the findings in the 2014 report, the legislature finds that to protect the 
1.18 	public health and the health of young children, it is necessary to lower the blood lead level 
1.19 	that constitutes an elevated blood lead level under the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act and 
1.20 	establish that a level greater than zero micrograms of lead per deciliter of whole blood in 
1.21 	any person constitutes an elevated blood lead level.

1.22 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 144.9501, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
2.1 		Subd. 9.Elevated blood lead level. "Elevated blood lead level" means a diagnostic 
2.2 	blood lead test with a result that is equal to or greater than ten zero micrograms of lead 
2.3 	per deciliter of whole blood in any person, unless the commissioner finds that a lower 
2.4 	concentration is necessary to protect public health.