Gov. Dave Heineman approved a measure that will require the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a plan that encourages children to get tested if they live in high-risk areas.
An earlier version of the bill by Omaha Sen. Brenda Council would have mandated blood-lead testing for most incoming kindergarten students.
High blood-lead levels in developing children have been tied to below-normal intelligence, academic failure, behavioral problems and learning disabilities. The damage usually is irreversible, and children may not display symptoms until it's too late.