The 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 requires municipalities with a permanent local agency to inspect rental units and common areas for lead hazards at tenant turnover or within three years of the law's effective date. If a municipality lacks such an agency, it must contract with a certified lead evaluation contractor for inspections, which must occur every three years or upon tenant turnover unless the owner has a valid lead-safe certification. The bill also outlines property owners' responsibilities to provide evidence of lead-safe certifications to new tenants and maintain related records.

Additionally, the bill modifies inspection requirements, allowing municipalities to conduct inspections in-house or through shared service agreements with other local units. 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 hazards. The bill repeals certain outdated provisions, including the requirement for DCA to conduct lead inspections as part of the cyclical inspection process under the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law, and 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