What Parents Need to Know About Michigan’s New Lead Testing Law

As a parent of a young child in Michigan, I’m constantly thinking about ways to keep my kid safe and healthy. From what they eat to where they play, it feels like juggling so much to make the right choices for my little guy.

One thing I hadn’t really thought about until recently? Lead.

Lead exposure is still a real risk here in Michigan, especially in older homes with aging pipes. It only takes small amounts of lead to effect how a child learns and grows, which is scary when you consider how easy it is to miss. Most kids don’t show obvious symptoms of lead poisoning, which is why early testing matters so much.

That’s why the law passed back in October of 2023 now requires doctors to check all kids for lead at 12 and 24 months.

These tests are part of regular checkups and are meant to catch lead exposure early, before it causes long-term harm. If your child missed those ages since the law literally just passed, the law also makes sure testing is done between 2 and 6 years old to make sure no children are falling between the cracks.

If you’re on a budget the best part is, this testing is fully covered by insurance, including Medicaid and other plans under the Affordable Care Act.

And if you don’t have a regular doctor, local health departments can help with both testing and follow-up support. (There’s even a program that helps fix lead hazards in your home if they find a problem.)

Michigan has had a rough history with lead, but this feels like we’re taking a real step toward giving our kids a healthier, safer future. I’m SO glad we’re finally doing more to protect our youngest citizens as soon as we can.

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If you want to learn more about this new law, you can check out the state's website about it.