216 R.I. Code R. 50-15-3 § 216-RICR-50-15-3 § 3.4
Childhood Lead Poisoning Screening
Operative Text
3.4.1General Requirements A.Health care providers shall ensure that childhood lead poisoning screening is conducted either by venipuncture or by capillary blood lead sampling in accordance with the following requirements: 1.Screening Schedule Rhode Island children shall be screened for lead poisoning at least twice, at least twelve (12) months apart, and before the age of thirty-six (36) months. For additional information on screening for lead poisoning see the Screening and Referral Guidelines on the Department’s website. 2.Screening Samples a.All blood lead screening and blood lead confirmatory samples submitted to the Department’s laboratory for analysis must be accompanied by a completed laboratory requisition form, including all data necessary for reimbursement by health insurers, and must be packaged in accordance with procedures established by the Department’s laboratory. b.All blood lead screening samples must be submitted to the Department’s laboratory for analysis, unless the Department has approved the use of another laboratory. c.All results of blood lead screening performed by any other laboratory must be reported to the Department in an electronic format specified by the Department. 3.Confirmatory Samples a.All blood lead confirmatory samples must be sent to a clinical laboratory licensed by the Department to perform routine chemistry analysis of blood. b.All results of confirmatory blood lead testing must be reported to the Department in an electronic format specified by the Department. 4.Samples Submitted to Department Laboratory All blood lead screening and blood lead confirmatory samples submitted to the Department’s laboratory for analysis must be accompanied by a completed laboratory requisition form, including all data necessary for reimbursement by health insurers, and must be packaged in accordance with procedures established by the Department’s laboratory. 3.4.2Fees for Childhood Lead Poisoning Screening Fees for blood lead screening are included in the Department’s Rules and Regulations pertaining to the Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services provided by the Department of Health (Part 10-05-2 of this Title). 3.4.3Reporting of Cases of Childhood Lead Poisoning A.Any person employed as or by a health care provider who makes the diagnosis of childhood lead poisoning shall report such diagnosis to the Department within ten (10) days of the diagnosis using a reporting method approved by the Department. B.Use of the Department’s laboratory, or other Department-approved laboratory, shall constitute compliance with these reporting requirements.
Section 216-RICR-50-15-3 § 3.4 establishes Rhode Island's framework for childhood lead poisoning screening, requiring that children be tested at least twice before age 36 months, with tests spaced at least 12 months apart. Blood samples must generally be submitted to the state Department of Health's laboratory unless another lab has been approved, and all results must be reported electronically to the Department. When a diagnosis of childhood lead poisoning is made, the diagnosing provider or their employer must notify the Department within 10 days using an approved reporting method.
Plain English — not legal advice.
While § 216-RICR-50-15-3 § 3.4 primarily governs health care providers rather than property owners directly, landlords of pre-1978 housing in Rhode Island should be aware that this screening framework means young children in their units may be tested for lead exposure and results reported to the state Department of Health. A compliant rental property operator generally maintains lead-safe conditions and cooperates with any Department inquiries that may arise from reported cases. Staying current with Rhode Island's lead-safe housing requirements helps operators understand how screening outcomes under § 3.4 can intersect with property-level obligations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 216-RICR-50-15-3 § 3.4, Rhode Island children have a right to lead poisoning screening at least twice before age 36 months, and health care providers are required to conduct and report that screening to the state Department of Health. If a child receives a diagnosis of lead poisoning, the diagnosing provider must report it to the Department within 10 days, which can trigger further state involvement. Tenants who believe their child's lead exposure is linked to housing conditions may wish to contact the Rhode Island Department of Health or a local tenant-rights organization to understand what options may be available to them.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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