Sponsor, public-health expert back bill to accept two fingerstick lead tests as confirmatory

Senator Takeney presented House Bill 3 12 to the Senate Education Committee as a public-health measure to expand how Delaware confirms elevated blood lead levels in children. The bill would permit a confirmed elevated blood-lead result either through a venous blood draw or through two capillary (fingerstick) screenings collected within 12 weeks, provided the relevant reference level is met or exceeded. Senator Takeney said the change follows recommendations from the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Advisory Committee and echoed concerns that venous draws often dissuade families from completing confirmation testing.

Dr. Amy Rowe, identified for the record as chair of the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Advisory Committee, testified that venous testing remains the gold standard but that a second properly collected capillary test ‘‘is considered accurate enough’’ in practice and is now consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance. Rowe said venous draws pose both practical and emotional barriers: they may require lab visits and are difficult for many young children, contributing to lower rates of confirmatory testing and limits on eligibility for follow-up case management services.

A committee member asked whether two capillary tests are as accurate as a venous test; Rowe replied that venous tests are more accurate but that paired capillary tests ‘‘yield an effective accuracy of approximately 99.75 percent when properly collected’’ and that accepting capillary confirmation would increase access to resources for children with elevated lead levels.

The committee heard no in-person or virtual public speakers who opposed the bill. The committee did not take a recorded vote on HB 3 12 during the meeting; the matter proceeded to subsequent committee processes as described by the chair.

The committee moved on after public comment with no formal action recorded on the bill during this session.