This bill aims to improve drinking water safety in residential units by mandating landlords to disclose lead-related hazards to tenants and prohibiting any obstruction of lead service line replacements. It requires the Department of Health to create a notice within six months of the bill's enactment to inform consumers about the health risks of lead in drinking water and protective measures. Landlords must provide a "Lead In Drinking Water Disclosure" statement to current or prospective tenants within 90 days of the notice's publication, detailing the property's lead service line status and any lead action level exceedances. However, properties built after 1986, those serviced by lead-safe lines, and seasonal rental units are exempt from these requirements.

Additionally, the bill mandates that public community water systems test drinking water for lead upon request from residential customers, offering one free test per year unless lead action levels are exceeded, which would necessitate further testing every 60 days. It also establishes that landlords cannot obstruct lead service line replacements and outlines penalties for non-compliance, starting at $100 for the first violation and escalating for subsequent violations. The legislation further allows tenants to terminate leases without penalty if their landlord obstructs lead service line replacements and provides a process for addressing violations through written notices and a specified timeframe for rectification.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 58:12A-43