Provides for coverage of screenings for elevated lead levels

Latest action Mar 23, 2026

Provides for coverage of screenings for elevated lead levels exempting them from annual deductibles or coinsurance.

Not chosen yet

Where it stands

Out of committee and scheduled for a vote by the full chamber.

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

New York State Senate

Same as A7953, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Amends the Insurance Law.

Committee

Insurance · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Insurance · New York State Senate.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

Provides for coverage of screenings for elevated lead levels.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Recorded votes

Vote: Committee vote · Insurance
Senate InsuranceMar 23, 2026Result: passed
(11) (0) (0) (0)
Vote: Committee vote · Insurance
Senate InsuranceMay 5, 2025Result: passed
(11) (0) (0) (0)

Cosponsors

Emily Gallagher, Jessica Scarcella-Spanton and 3 more on Agora

Democratic4
Republican1

See the full list on nysenate.gov

The sponsor's argument

Why Gustavo Rivera says this is needed

Dakota's Law originated from the mother of Dakota, a child living in a NYCHA apartment who experienced increasing blood lead levels throughout her childhood. While Dakota did receive the appropriate lead screenings at the ages of 12 and 24 months, it wasn't until Dakota was four years old when her mother changed her doctor and she was offered another lead screening that showed that Dakota's blood lead levels had increased from five micrograms to 45, leaving her with permanent developmental chal- lenges that affected her education. Since they are still developing, younger children face a higher risk if they are exposed to lead and have elevated blood lead levels, which can have a huge impact on the neurological and digestive systems. Therefore, blood lead levels should be checked annually in small children to address any exposure as quickly as possible. This bill addresses the insurance-related bafflers regarding access to lead screening by expand- ing the coverage for private health insurance and Medicaid recipients. The bill prohibits any copays and annual deductibles on these services, which would help us eliminate financial barriers as our state takes a proactive approach to prevent children from experiencing the harmful effects of lead poisoning.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Full history

Mar 23, 2026
Reported out of committee
REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
NY Senate
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO INSURANCE
NY Assembly
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO INSURANCE
NY Senate
May 5, 2025
Reported out of committee
REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
NY Senate
Apr 16, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO INSURANCE
NY Assembly

Show full history (1 earlier event)

Jan 16, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO INSURANCE
NY Senate

About this record

Summary: The summary comes from NY Open Legislation, the New York State Senate's public record. For more, see How we handle summaries.
Cosponsors: The list shows the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.
Party colors: Parties are shown in the same neutral colors.
Source: From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Nov 3, 2026. About our data

Read the record

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.

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