2025 -- H 5721

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- LEAD HAZARD MITIGATION

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Newberry, Santucci, Fascia, Paplauskas, Quattrocchi,
and Hopkins

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2025

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 42-128.1 of the General Laws entitled "Lead Hazard Mitigation" is

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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     42-128.1-15. Safe harbor provision for landlords.

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     (a) This section shall apply to any landlord required to obtain a lead certificate pursuant to

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this chapter which landlord is unable to comply with the sections of this chapter regarding obtaining

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a lead certificate due to the fact the state does not have adequate resources to conduct inspections

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and enforce the current law.

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     (b) If a landlord meets the qualifications under subsection (a) of this section, the landlord

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shall certify to the state that the landlord followed the lead mitigation law pursuant to this chapter

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as of September 1, 2024.

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     (c) If a landlord meets the qualifications under both subsections (a) and (b) of this section,

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the state shall not fine that landlord if the landlord’s property is not inspected and formally certified

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by the state within the current statutory deadline.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- LEAD HAZARD MITIGATION

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     This act would allow a landlord that did not obtain a lead certificate pursuant to the lead

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mitigation laws of chapter 128.1 of title 42 due to the fact that the state lacks the adequate resources

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to conduct inspections. The act also would provide that if the landlord certifies that the landlord

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followed all lead mitigation law requirements as of September 1, 2024, the landlord would not be

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fined for the lack of a lead certificate.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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