Correspondence from Widess to Coalition to End Lead Poisoning
Policy Advocacy
April 18, 1991
3 pages
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Case Files, Matthews v. Kizer Hardbacks. Correspondence from Widess to Coalition to End Lead Poisoning, 1991. 656ac835-5d40-f011-b4cb-002248226c06. LDF Archives, Thurgood Marshall Institute. https://ldfrecollection.org/archives/archives-search/archives-item/fb5341c9-f3d5-477c-a969-cf0250037ffa/correspondence-from-widess-to-coalition-to-end-lead-poisoning. Accessed December 04, 2025.
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University of dan Diego
Children’s Advocacy Institute Center for Public Interest Law
TO: Coalition to End Lead Poisoning
FROM: Ellen Widess
DATE: April 18, 1991
RE: Lead Poisoning Legislation
AB 2038 (Connelly) Childhood Lead Screening
This bill creates the Childhood Lead Poisoning and
Prevention Act and mandates screening of all eligible children
(under community child health and disability prevention programs)
at 12 months and again at 24 months, as part of each child’s
health assessment. No child shall be screened if a parent
refuses consent or if a health provider feels that screening is
not warranted. All children identified with lead poisoning shall
be provided appropriate follow-up care and all services to which
handicapped children are entitled. In cases of severe lead
poisoning, the Department of Health Service (DHS) shall provide
information to families and conduct environmental testing to find
the source of contamination.
AB 2038 would impose a fee on all manufacturers,
distributors, wholesalers and anyone who has contributed lead or
products containing lead as sources of environmental
contamination. This fee shall be based on several factors,
including the company’s past and present responsibility for lead
contamination.
Press Conference: 4/24/91 10 a.m. Sacramento
Hearing: 4/30/91 ASSEMBLY HEALTH COMMITTEE
1:30 p.m. Room 4202
S.F. Assembly-members to contact with support:
Jackie Speier
John Burton
Staff: Kathy Dresslar (916) 445-2484
Alcala Park, San Diego, California92110 619/260-4806
1160 Battery St., Suite 340, San Francisco, California 94111 415/544-8832
926 ) Street, Suite 709, Sacramento, California 95814 916/444-3875
Reply to: [ San Diego Office ® ([ San Francisco Office ® [ Sacramento Office
AB 1979 (Lee) Insurance
This bill would require that on and after January 1,
1993, all service plan contract for hospital and medical expenses
covers blood lead screening. It also requires that on or after
January 1, 1993 all insurance policies (individual and group
disability) shall cover blood lead screening.
Hearing: 4/23/91 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON
HEALTH
1:30 p.m. Room 437
Staff: Mishka Migacz (916) 445-7442
AB 1173 (Lee) Freeway Demolition and Construction
This bill would require Department of Health Services,
in consultation with the Department of Transportation and Air
Resources Board, to develop procedures governing the demolition
and reconstruction of freeways and interchanges in urban areas.
Procedures would include measures to assess lead hazards and
protect nearby residents, particularly children from lead in soil
around freeways and airborne lead exposure from demolition and
construction activities.
Hearing: 4/30/91 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON
ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
2:00 p.m. Room 444
Staff: Mishka Migacz (916) 445-7442
AB 1565 (lee) Excise Tax
This is a two-year bill which would impose an excise
tax on the sale and use of all paint sold at retail in
California. The tax would be $.50 per gallon of paint sold and
would be deposited in a Lead Based Paint Fund.
Hearing: No hearing
Staff: Alicia Jacobo (916) 445-7442
AB 1659 (Speier) School Lead Survey
This bill would direct the Department of Health
Services to conduct a sample survey of schools (public
elementary, preschools and day care facilities) in target areas
of the state to determine schools at high risk of lead
contamination. Target areas include San Francisco, Alameda, Los
Angeles, San Mateo and Sacramento Counties, based on age of
facilities and recorded use of lead paint. The surveys would
identify extent of lead exposure to children in classrooms, in
soil, drinking water and other possible sources. The result will
be used to recommend lead abatement in schools.
AB 1659 also requires lead testing methods and guidelines
for training of contractors to safely and properly test and abate
lead contamination.
Hearing: 4/30/91 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON
HEALTH
1:30 p.m. Room 4202
Staff: Margaret Pena (916) 445-8020
778 SB 240 (Torres) Occupational Lead Poisoning
This bill would require the Department of Health
Services to create a permanent occupational lead poisoning
prevention program for all industries where lead is used. This
program would include a Lead Poisoning Registry; follow-up on
poisonings to identify possible exposure to families; training of
workers, employers and health professionals on lead poisoning.
Hearing: 4/22/91 SENATE COMMITTEE ON
APPROPRIATIONS
10:00 a.m. Room 4203