Relates to automatic eligibility for early intervention services for children found to have elevated venous blood lead levels

• Democratic16
• Republican2

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why April Baskin says this is needed

The objective of the bill is to make children diagnosed with an elevated blood lead level (at or above 5mcg/dL) automatically eligible for Early Intervention services in New York State under IDEA Part C. Currently, children are eligible in 19 other states. Lead exposure is a longstanding public health issue that can result in significant developmental, behavioral, and cognitive consequences for children that can persist throughout their lives. There is no safe level of exposure. Primary prevention remains the best strategy to combat lead poisoning, but secondary interventions, like Early Intervention (EI) services, are critical for mitigating its impacts on children for whom prevention efforts have failed. Early Intervention programs are designed to support children at risk of developmental delays by leveraging the brain's neuroplasticity during early childhood, a critical period of development. Research demonstrates that children with developmental delays or at high risk for develop- mental delays benefit most from interventions that start at an early age. In April 2015, the CDC released a report specifically highlighting the potential of early childhood programs like Early Intervention to miti- gate the negative effects of lead by taking advantage of the critical window for intervention when children are young, and their developing brains are more resilient. Currently, 19 states provide automatic eligibility for El services to children with elevated blood lead levels under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C (most recently Illinois and Ohio in 2019). Lead exposure has been linked to developmental delays, behavioral issues, lower IQ, ADHD, learning disabilities, and long-term socioeco- nomic challenges. Even low blood lead levels (BLLs) have been shown to negatively affect executive functioning, speech, and academic perform- ance. These effects often become apparent after the critical window for EI has passed, underscoring the need for early access to critical EI developmental supports. Expanding EI eligibility for lead-exposed children is both ethically and economically justified, as it improves long-term outcomes and contrib- utes to significant taxpayer savings realized from: *Reduced need for costly special education services in K-12 schools *Decreased healthcare costs including behavioral health services *Decreased utilization of social services across the lifespan *Averted expenses related to crime and criminal justice interventions associated with lead-related behavioral issues *Improved academic achievement and workforce participation, contributing to higher lifetime earnings and tax revenues Research has shown prevent- ing lead exposure yields significant economic benefits. Initiatives like phasing out leaded gasoline and reducing lead paint hazards have saved billions of dollars annually. While primary prevention remains cost-ef- fective, the economic and social benefits of providing timely secondary interventions like EI for lead-exposed children are also substantial. Ensuring lead-exposed children are eligible to receive EI services is critical to addressing the developmental and educational deficits caused by lead. Additionally, EI eligibility for lead-exposed children can reduce associated costs across the lifespan resulting in reduced public expenditures and increased economic productivity for New York State.

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.