LEWISTON, Maine (AP) Physicians and Maine officials are preparing for the implementation of a new state law requiring lead screening of children ages 1 and 2.

Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Nirav Shah says more than 300 Maine children experience lead poisoning annually, though the state has seen a 70% reduction in lead poisoning among children in the past 16 years.

The Sun Journal reports that before legislators approved the new testing requirement earlier this year, it was the only New England state that didn’t require a universal lead screening of children.

Lead screening has long been required for children at risk because of age and other factors who are enrolled in Medicaid.

Shah says his agency is working on a system for the screenings.