TennesseeSchools and health agencies would test children and pregnant women for lead
The measure sets out lead testing and follow-up services for schoolchildren, pregnant WIC voucher recipients, and some juveniles in detention.
What it does
Children would be tested for lead before attending covered public schools. Parents or guardians may opt them out of testing and referrals.
Children with elevated lead levels would be screened to see whether special education services may be needed. Children with lead poisoning would receive support services suited to their needs.
When a federally funded juvenile detention facility knows a youth in custody has elevated lead levels or lead poisoning, it would work with health and education agencies to provide support services.
The health department would require lead testing for pregnant women receiving WIC vouchers. If testing finds elevated lead levels or lead poisoning, the department would provide nutrition services, education, and other tailored support.
Argument forTesting and follow-up services could help identify children and pregnant women with lead exposure and connect them with support.
Argument againstRequired testing and follow-up could burden families and facilities, though parents or guardians may opt children out of school testing and referrals.
More detail
The health department would make blood lead testing available and require it before children attend covered public schools. This applies to children attending public schools that serve any mix of pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students. A parent or guardian may opt a child out of the testing and referrals. Testing must occur before the child's attendance at a covered school.
Children with elevated lead levels would be screened for possible special education services; children with lead poisoning would receive tailored support services. This applies to children tested under the school testing section. The special education screening applies to a child with elevated blood lead levels. The services apply to a child with lead poisoning. Screening must happen immediately after elevated lead levels are found.
A federally funded juvenile detention facility would provide tailored support services in collaboration with the health department and local education agencies. This applies to juveniles held in a juvenile detention facility that receives federal funding. The facility must be aware that the juvenile has elevated lead levels or lead poisoning.
The health department would make blood lead testing available and require it for pregnant women who receive WIC vouchers, and provide specified services when testing finds elevated levels or lead poisoning. This applies to pregnant women who receive vouchers for the special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children administered by the health department. The services include specialized nutrition, education on reducing lead in the body, and other tailored support services.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 27Pub. Ch. 1062Latest
- May 27Effective date(s) 05/22/2026
- May 22Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 11Transmitted to Governor for action.To Governor
- May 7Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- Apr 30Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- Apr 27Enrolled and ready for signaturesMinor
- Apr 21Subst. for comp. HB.Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 21Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0943)Minor
- Apr 21Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - HA1078)Minor
- Apr 21Passed H., Ayes 88, Nays 0, PNV 0Passed House
- Mar 30Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
- Mar 26Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 2 - SA0856)
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 3/26/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 26Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0781)
- Mar 26Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 32, Nays 0Passed Senate
- Mar 26Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Mar 24Recalled from Senate Finance, Ways & Means
- Mar 24Refer to Senate Calendar Committee
- Mar 24Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/26/2026
- Mar 18Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Ayes 8, Nays 1 PNV 0
- Vote recorded SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Ayes 8, Nays 1 PNV 0 3/18/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 17Action deferred in Senate Health and Welfare Committee to 3/18/2026
- Mar 17Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/18/2026
- Mar 11Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/17/2026
- 2025
- Mar 26Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Health and Welfare CommitteeMinor
- Mar 19Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/26/2025
- Feb 12Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Health and Welfare CommitteeMinor
- Feb 10Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- Feb 6Filed for introductionIntroduced
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