§ 6-303. Blood lead test reporting

   (a) Report by medical laboratory. --

   (1) A medical laboratory, office, or other facility that draws blood from any child 18 years and under for analysis of blood lead levels shall obtain all information required by the Department, including the address, date of birth, sex, and race of the child.

   (2) The medical laboratory, office, or facility drawing blood for analysis under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall forward the information required under paragraph (1) of this subsection with the blood to the medical laboratory that performs blood lead level testing.

   (3) A medical laboratory that performs blood lead level testing shall report to the Department the results of blood lead level tests and the information required under paragraph (1) of this subsection in accordance with the time frames established by the Department.

   (4) (i) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (3) of this subsection, for a child who resides in Baltimore City, a medical laboratory shall report the results of tests and the information required under paragraph (1) of this subsection to the Commissioner of the Baltimore City Health Department.

      (ii) The Commissioner of the Baltimore City Health Department may report the information received under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph to the Baltimore Immunization Registry Program.

   (5) (i) If a medical laboratory that performs blood lead level testing receives a blood sample without the information required under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the medical laboratory shall make a written request to the medical laboratory, office, or facility in which the blood was initially drawn for the information required under paragraph (1) of this subsection.

      (ii) If the medical laboratory, office, or facility does not provide the information requested under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the medical laboratory that performs blood lead level testing shall inform the Department of the failure of the medical laboratory, office, or facility to provide the information required under paragraph (1) of this subsection.

      (iii) A medical laboratory that performs blood lead level testing shall provide medical laboratories, offices, or facilities that draw blood with referral forms that request the information required by the Department, including the address, date of birth, sex, and race of the child.

(b) Report on results -- Authorized. -- The Department may report the results of blood tests for lead poisoning to an immunization registry subsequently developed by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

(c) Report on results -- Required. -- The Department shall report the results of blood tests for lead poisoning indicating an elevated blood lead level, as defined by regulation, to:

   (1) The local health department in the jurisdiction where the child resides; and

   (2) The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

(d) Regulations. -- The Department shall adopt regulations to:

   (1) Govern the reporting requirements of laboratories to the Department under subsection (a) of this section; and

   (2) Provide for the reporting of information by the Department to local health departments and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

HISTORY: 1985, ch. 308; 1987, ch. 306, § 3; 1990, ch. 136; 1997, ch. 521; 2000, ch. 677; 2001, ch. 707.