This bill amends existing legislation to enhance the protection of residential tenants from lead-based paint hazards by introducing new definitions such as "common area," "dwelling unit," and "planned real estate development." It mandates that municipalities with a permanent local agency conduct inspections of rental dwelling units and their common areas for lead-based paint hazards either at tenant turnover or within three years of the law's effective date. For municipalities without such an agency, the bill requires contracting with a certified lead evaluation contractor for inspections. Inspections must occur every three years or upon tenant turnover unless the property owner has a valid lead-safe certification. The bill also outlines property owner responsibilities regarding lead-safe certifications and remediation processes for identified hazards, while requiring municipalities to report inspected units and hazards to the Department of Community Affairs.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing laws to allow municipalities with a local construction code enforcement agency to either conduct inspections themselves or hire a certified contractor, and it permits shared service agreements for fulfilling inspection requirements. It extends the validity of lead-safe certifications from two to three years and changes the notification process for identified lead hazards. The Department of Health is empowered to set blood-lead level standards, and the Department of Community Affairs is tasked with creating an electronic educational program on lead-based paint hazards. The bill also repeals certain provisions related to cyclical inspections and the requirement for property owners to present valid lead-safe certifications during these inspections. The bill is set to take effect immediately, with some provisions applying retroactively to agreements made after July 22, 2022.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 52:27D-437.16, 52:27D-437.17, 55:13A-12.2