HF1228

Purpose

• This bill would provide a one-year funding appropriation to support lead risk assessments for children with elevated blood lead levels. Specifically, it would allocate $500,000 from the general fund in fiscal year 2026 to the Commissioner of Health to grant two local public health departments—the Minneapolis Health Department and the St. Paul-Ramsey County Public Health Department—for lead risk assessments under Minnesota Statutes § 144.9504. None of the funds may be used for administrative costs.

Main Provisions

• Funding amount: $500,000 from the general fund in fiscal year 2026.
• Recipients: Minneapolis Health Department; St. Paul-Ramsey County Public Health Department.
• Purpose of grants: To conduct lead risk assessments for children with elevated blood lead levels (as described in Minnesota Statutes § 144.9504).
• Allocation split: $250,000 to the Minneapolis Health Department and $250,000 to the St. Paul-Ramsey County Public Health Department.
• Restrictions: The commissioner must not use any of these funds for administration.

Relationship to Existing Law / Changes

• The bill adds a targeted, one-year funding stream to support lead risk assessments conducted by local public health departments.
• It does not alter the underlying lead risk assessment statute itself; it only provides funding to implement those efforts.

Implementation / Administration

• The grants would be administered by the Commissioner of Health and distributed to the two specified local public health departments, aligned with the stated purpose and statutory authority.

Practical Impact

• Increases resources for identifying and addressing sources of lead exposure in homes of children with high blood lead levels, potentially leading to better prevention and interventions.

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Relevant Terms - lead risk assessments - elevated blood lead levels - general fund - grant - Minnesota Statutes § 144.9504 - Commissioner of Health - Minneapolis Health Department - St. Paul-Ramsey County Public Health Department - fiscal year 2026 - administration