“Children are particularly vulnerable”
Rivera helps pass Dakota’s Law in the State Senate
BY BRONX TIMES
As NYCHA facilities were
built pre-1978 need lead abatement
and removal, many of
its residents do not realize
they are surrounded by lead.
One lawmaker realized
the dangers people face living
in these buildings and recently
took action. On June 9,
Senator Gustavo Rivera’s bill,
Dakota’s Law (S5024B), which
would establish a comprehensive
system of measures
that prevent and address instances
of elevated blood lead
levels in children, passed the
State Senate.
The legislation aims to prevent
and address childhood
lead poisoning and exposure
by requiring lead screenings
at every routine visit or annually
for children until the
age of 6-years-old. Health
care providers will also provide
parents or guardians of
children guidance on lead
poisoning prevention, including
their right to an inspection
if the child is an area of
high risk. The bill will also
require pre-k and kindergarten
institutions to check if
their enrolling students have
been screened for lead exposure
and provide them with
educational materials on lead
poisoning.
This is the first part of Dakota’s
Law, a multi-bill effort
to enhance New York’s childhood
lead poisoning prevention
measures.
Thank you again @twinkl3star
for your dedication
in shaping this bill as
well as to my Deputy Chief
of Staff, Rachel Ferrari, for
working diligently alongside
Ms. Jones to make this
bill a reality. Read my statement
here: https://t.co/zQ4t-
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— Gustavo Rivera (@NYSenatorRivera)
June 10, 2021
Dakota’s Law was written
with Tiesha Jones, Senator
Rivera’s constituent, based
on her and her child’s experience
with elevated blood
lead levels. Jones was living
in a NYCHA apartment with
State Senator Tim Kennedy, Dakota Taylor, State Senator Gustavo Rivera
and Tiesha Jones. Courtesy Office of Senator Rivera
her family and took Dakota
to the doctor for appropriate
testing at the required ages,
12- and 24-months-old. Upon
changing doctors at age 4, she
was offered a lead screening
and within this time frame,
Dakota’s blood lead levels increased
from 5 micrograms to
45. This left Dakota with permanent
developmental challenges
that affect her education.
“Children are particularly
vulnerable to the harmful
effects of lead from infancy
until age 6,” Rivera
said. “This incredible effort,
spearheaded by the tireless
work of Ms. Tiesha Jones,
will make a real difference
in the lives of millions of
children and parents in New
York. We must do everything
in our power to end lead poisoning
in New York State and
ensure our children are living
in safe and healthy environments.”
The passage of this bill
builds on the successful effort
by Rivera to lower New York’s
State’s action level from 10 micrograms
to 5, in accordance
with recommendations from
the United States Center for
Disease Control. Children under
6 whose blood lead levels
reach 10 micrograms face developmental
toxicity, or permanent
damage, due to lead
exposure. By taking action
when a child has a blood lead
level of 5 micrograms, it will
prevent permanent damage
by addressing the source of
lead exposure and preventing
lead poisoning.
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