Requires health insurance companies to cover lead screenings for children 16 years of age or younger.

S 1359 requires health insurance companies in New Jersey to cover lead screenings for children 16 years of age or younger. The bill mandates that physicians, nurses, and healthcare facilities perform lead screenings for eligible children unless parents object in writing, and requires providers to notify parents of elevated lead levels in plain language. It also directs the Department of Health to establish regulations based on CDC guidelines, including screening schedules, follow-up protocols for high lead levels, and a public education campaign about lead poisoning risks. This policy directly affects health insurers, healthcare providers, and families with children under 16.