S5538

The New York State Senate passed legislation Tuesday that expands early intervention services to children with elevated blood lead levels, addressing a significant gap in current public health law. Senate Print 5538, sponsored by Sen. April Baskin of Buffalo, makes such services automatically available to lead-poisoned children, who were previously ineligible under a law restricting early intervention to children with specific disabilities or sensory delays. The bill passed unanimously 53-0. Baskin, drawing on personal experience as a mother whose son had elevated blood lead levels and as representative of Buffalo—where Black children are 12 times more likely to contract lead poisoning than white children—said she was fulfilling a promise made five years ago when she introduced a similar resolution as a county legislator. Sens. May and Cleare, both mothers of children affected by lead poisoning, praised the legislation as critical for addressing health disparities in Black and brown communities. The bill takes effect immediately.