Lead Priorities
Model Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Legislation
The presence of lead hazards – including poorly maintained old lead-based paint – continues to be of great concern to our industry. As a result, the PaintPAC Steering Committee has granted general approval for contributions to sponsors and key supporters of NPCA’s Model Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Bill (Model Bill). These contributions are reflected by the list of State Legislative Candidates PaintPAC has supported (see Candidates page for more information).
The evidence is compelling that avoiding and controlling deteriorating or abraded paint can help significantly in preventing childhood lead poisoning. The Model Bill, drafted by Dean Donald G. Gifford of the University of Maryland School of Law, can significantly help to accomplish these objectives by setting clear lead-safe housing standards and providing for their enforcement with a “carrot and stick” approach: liability protection for property owners – whose rental units are “lead-safe” – as well as other financial incentives for compliance; and strong enforcement of these new standards plus education for all stakeholders.
The Model Bill seeks to dramatically reduce and eventually eliminate the incidence of childhood lead poisoning while preserving older housing as an affordable residential option. It focuses on specific actions that will substantially prevent childhood lead poisoning:
(1) Elimination of lead hazards in housing;
(2) Education; and
(3) Screening for and treatment of elevated blood lead levels.
For more information or a copy of the Model Bill, please contact NPCA’s David Lloyd.
