Sec. 10.11.04.05. Documentation Requirements on Entry into a Prekindergarten Program, Kindergarten Program, or First Grade

A. The parent or guardian of a child who currently resides, or has previously resided, in an at-risk area shall provide to the administrator of the child’s school or program, or the administrator’s designee, certified documentation of the child’s blood lead analysis, as specified in §G of this regulation, on first entry into a:

(1) Maryland public prekindergarten program; or

(2) Maryland public school system at the level of prekindergarten, kindergarten or first grade.

B. An electronic report of the child’s blood lead analysis from a health care provider to the administrator of the child’s school or program, or the administrator’s designee, may serve as an acceptable alternative to the documentation required in §A of this regulation.

C. A health care provider shall:

(1) Document and certify by signature the dates of the blood lead analysis administered to a child pursuant to Regulation .04A of this chapter on a form developed by the Department; and

(2) Upon request by the child’s public school or program administrator, or the administrator’s designee, for a child who resides or has previously resided in an at-risk area, provide to the school or program the certified documentation of the child’s blood lead analysis, as specified in §G of this regulation, in order to facilitate the Department’s public health surveillance activities relating to lead poisoning.

D. The child’s parent or guardian shall provide certified documentation of the child’s blood lead analysis, as specified in §G of this regulation, administered in connection with the 12-month visit and 24-month visit to a Maryland public prekindergarten program not later than:

(1) 20 calendar days from the 12-month visit or 24-month visit; or

(2) 20 calendar days from first entry into the program or system.

E. Pursuant to Regulation .04A of this chapter, if the child’s first blood test for lead poisoning was administered after the child is 24 months old, then only certified documentation of the most recent blood lead analysis is required to be reported pursuant to §C of this regulation.

F. Pursuant to Regulation .04A of this chapter, if a child has more than two blood tests for lead poisoning done between the ages of 12 months and 24 months, then only certified documentation of the two most recent blood lead analyses shall be reported.

G. The information sent to or received by a program or school pursuant to §A of this regulation shall be recorded and certified by a health care provider’s signature on a form issued by the Department that includes the following:

(1) Name of the child;

(2) Date and result of the blood lead analysis; and

(3) The signature of the:

(a) Child's primary care provider or designee; or

(b) School health professional or designee that transcribed the information onto the form issued by the Department.

H. If a child is not required to receive a blood test for lead poisoning pursuant to Regulation .04A or B of this chapter, then the child's parent or guardian shall provide to the administrator of the child's school or program, or the administrator's designee, on a form issued by the Department, documentation that the child does not reside and has never resided in an at-risk area.

I. If a parent or guardian does not consent to a blood test for lead poisoning pursuant to Regulation .04H of this chapter, the child’s parent or guardian shall:

(1) Take their child to a primary care provider for the provider to complete a lead poisoning risk assessment questionnaire; and

(2) Submit to the administrator of the child's school or program, or the administrator's designee, a written, signed statement of exemption on a form issued by the Department.

J. Notice Required.

(1) The program or school shall give notice in accordance with §J(2) of this regulation to the parent or guardian of a child who resides or has resided in an at-risk area who does not provide:

(a) The certified documentation of the child’s blood lead analysis, as specified in §G of this regulation; or

(b) A signed statement of exemption.

(2) The notice required under this section shall state that the parent or guardian is required by law to provide the information under §J(1) of this regulation at the time of enrollment.