C.S.H.B. 3264 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 3264 By: Hunter Public Health Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Approximately one million American children may have levels of lead in their blood in excess of 10 micrograms per deciliter. Without prevention or treatment, elevated blood lead levels in egregious cases may result in an impaired ability to think, concentrate, or learn. By educating property owners on how to make their property lead-free or lead-safe and educating tenants, the state can protect its children and reduce the high costs of treating lead poisoning. CSHB 3264, titled the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act, aims to meet these goals. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS This bill is the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act. Amends Chapter 88, Health and Safety Code, by defining "Board" to mean the Texas Board of Health. Amends Chapter 88, Health and Safety Code, by adding Sec. 88.0025: The Board may implement policies and procedures to help eliminate lead poisoning in the state. The Board may adopt measures to: (1) significantly reduce lead poisoning in the state; (2) improve public awareness of lead poisoning and educate property owners and tenants of ways to reduce lead poisoning; and (3) encourage the testing of children likely to suffer from lead poisoning. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003 COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE The substitute only changes language under Section 4 of the Act. Under Section 4, subsection (a) is amended to strike the word "shall" and replace it with the word "may." Under Section 4 of the Act, subsections (2), (4), and (6) have been struck and the remaining subsections have been appropriately renumbered.