Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program 2022 Fee Increase

California's CLPP Program was established in 1986 by legislation to address the State's childhood lead poisoning prevention crisis. Lead is a toxic heavy metal that persists indefinitely in the environment as a pollutant from the historic use of leaded gasoline and paint, and industrial emissions. Childhood exposure to lead causes acute adverse health effects such as learning disabilities, lowered IQ, and anemia; and chronic, life-long conditions such as hypertension, kidney disease, and reproductive problems. Exposure to high levels of lead can cause seizures, coma, or death. California's children continue to be exposed to this toxic element today.

The CLPP Fee was established by legislation in 1991 to enable California's CLPP Program to address the immediate and continuing harmful effects of environmental lead exposure in children. The CLPP Branch has legal authority to increase the Fee to adjust for inflation and to account for the size of the population served by the program (Health and Safety Code § 105310). Changes to the CLPP program's duties and requirements necessitate regular Fee increases.

To implement new legislative mandates and continue providing services to the California public, the CLPP Fee was increased from $22 million to $30 million in 2021. A second increase in 2022 to $44 million was planned, however, because the fund balance remained higher than projected for 2021-2022, it was revised to $32 million.