Cal. Civ. Code § 460.050
Mandatory Blood Lead Screening and Follow-up Schedule
Operative Text
(A) Health Care Provider Applicability. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 112, § 12BB:
(1) Each physician duly registered under the provisions of M.G.L. c. 112, §§ 2, 2A, 9, 9A or 9B
shall screen patients for lead poisoning at the intervals and using the methods specified in 105 CMR
460.050; and
(2) Each licensed, registered or approved health care facility serving children younger than six
years old including, but not limited to, hospitals and clinics licensed under the provisions of M.G.L.
c. 111, § 51 shall take appropriate steps to ensure that their patients receive such lead poisoning
screening; and
(3) Each health maintenance organization licensed under the provisions of M.G.L. c. 176G shall
take appropriate steps to ensure that its patients receive such lead poisoning screening.
(B) A venous blood sample is recommended for screening. If a capillary sample is used, screening
shall conform to the capillary blood sample protocol approved by the Director. If a capillary sample
shows that the child has a concentration of five micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood or greater (>
5 µg/dL), a confirmatory venous blood sample is required in accordance with guidance issued by the
Director.
(C) Regular Screening of Children for Lead Poisoning.
(1) All children shall be screened once between nine and 12 months of age, and again at two and
three years of age.
(2) In addition, children who live in one of the cities and towns at high risk for childhood lead
poisoning, as determined by the State Program and distributed to clinicians and the public, shall be
screened at four years of age.
(D) Screening of Children at High Risk for Lead Poisoning.
(1) Children shall be screened for lead poisoning more than once a year whenever, in the sound
medical judgment of the health care provider, they are at high risk of lead poisoning or when they
meet one of the following high-risk criteria:
(a) They live in a home where siblings or other children in the same household are lead
poisoned.
(b) They live in a pre-1978 home that is undergoing renovations, unless it has been inspected
by a lead inspector and the surfaces to be disturbed do not contain dangerous levels of lead.
(c) They live in a pre-1978 home with deteriorated paint or plaster, unless it has been
inspected by a lead inspector and does not to contain a dangerous level of lead.
(2) Children who meet one of the high-risk criteria in 105 CMR 460.050(D)(1)(a) or (c) shall be
screened at least every six months between six months and three years of age, and again at four
and five years old. Children who meet the high risk criteria in 105 CMR 460.050(D)(1)(b), shall
be screened within four weeks of the start of the renovation project, once a month thereafter during
its duration, and once after its completion.
(E) If children between one and six years of age have never been screened for lead poisoning, they
must be screened at entry to daycare including group or family day care, or kindergarten or
pre-kindergarten, and present evidence of such screening. If they have previously been screened for
lead poisoning, they need not be screened again to fulfill daycare, pre-kindergarten, or kindergarten
entry requirements, but must present evidence of previous screening.
(F) Children younger than six years old identified as having a blood lead level of 5 µg/dL or greater
shall be provided follow-up care, including repeat screening(s), in accordance with the current
standards set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics, or other qualified medical authority as
determined by the Director.Section 105 CMR 460.050 establishes a mandatory schedule under which children in Massachusetts must be screened for lead poisoning at specific ages and intervals, with additional screenings required for children identified as high-risk. Physicians, licensed health care facilities serving young children, and health maintenance organizations are all obligated to ensure these screenings occur. Children found to have blood lead levels at or above 5 µg/dL must receive follow-up care consistent with current medical standards, and children entering daycare or kindergarten must show evidence of prior screening.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 105 CMR 460.050, landlords renting pre-1978 housing should be aware that the condition of their property—specifically deteriorated paint or plaster and active renovation work—can trigger more frequent mandatory lead screenings for child occupants. A compliant operator generally ensures that any renovation work in pre-1978 units is preceded by a licensed lead inspection when children under six are present, and maintains documentation of inspection results. Keeping properties free of deteriorated paint and plaster is a standard practice that can affect whether child residents fall into the heightened screening categories defined by this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 105 CMR 460.050 gives families the right to expect that their child's physician, clinic, or health plan will screen for lead poisoning at the ages and intervals the regulation specifies—including more frequent screenings if the child lives in a pre-1978 home with deteriorating paint or active renovations. If a child's blood lead level is found to be 5 µg/dL or greater, the regulation entitles that child to follow-up care in line with current medical standards. Tenants who believe their child has not received required screenings or follow-up care may consider contacting the Massachusetts Department of Public Health or a local tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 30, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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