SB 37 Louisiana Senate · 2026 Regular Session

HEALTH DEPARTMENT: Provides relative to lead poisoning prevention. (8/1/26) (EG +$1,205,479 GF EX See Note)

SB 37 establishes a statewide lead poisoning prevention program within Louisiana's Department of Health. It requires lead testing in early learning centers and schools (with prekindergarten programs or elementary grades) built before 1978 to obtain occupancy approval, and mandates healthcare providers to report confirmed lead poisoning cases. The program also sets protocols for detecting lead sources (prioritizing areas with recent cases and children under six) and requires abatement of lead hazards when contamination is found. These changes directly affect schools, healthcare providers, and the Department of Health, focusing on prevention, testing, and treatment for children under six.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 6, 2026 Last action Apr 7, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB37 Original → SB37 Engrossed · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was expanded from a 9-page original version to a 10-page engrossed version, incorporating significant policy updates to strengthen lead poisoning prevention. Key changes include clarifying that the program applies to schools built before 1978, adding specific definitions for 'lead hazard' and 'lead hazard control methods,' and shifting the focus from simple lead testing to a broader strategy involving risk assessments, hazard abatement agreements, and clearance inspections. The text also resolves formatting errors and ensures consistency with existing state laws regarding public health priorities.

Scope change

The scope was expanded to explicitly include 'lead hazard control methods' and 'clearance inspections' alongside testing, and the applicability was refined to specifically target facilities built prior to 1978.

REQUIREMENT

Replaced general 'lead testing' requirements with a more comprehensive approach including 'lead risk assessments,' 'lead hazard control methods,' and mandatory 'clearance inspections' to verify abatement.

DEFINITION

Added specific legal definitions for 'Facility,' 'Lead hazard,' 'Lead hazard control methods,' and 'Schools with prekindergarten program' to clarify exactly what structures and spaces are covered.

ELIGIBILITY

Refined eligibility criteria to explicitly state that requirements apply to early learning centers and schools with prekindergarten programs built prior to 1978, while excluding communal spaces like cafeterias or gyms.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a provision stating that the new Part prevails over conflicting provisions in R.S. 13:5233.1 or Title 17, establishing legislative priority.

TECHNICAL

Removed redundant or erroneous text fragments (e.g., 'in it's the Lead') and corrected page numbering and header formatting.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 7, 2026

Committee

Read by title. Committee amendments read and adopted; ordered engrossed and recommitted to the Committee on Finance.

upper

Apr 1, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported with amendments.

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors