Requires the disclosure of lead-based paint test reports in real estate transactions

• Democratic58
• Republican1

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Brian Kavanagh says this is needed

Despite federal policies phasing out lead from paint and gasoline in the 1970s, states have largely been left to develop their own lead poisoning prevention policy. While New York has been a leader in lead policy, the legacy of lead continues to pose a threat to New Yorkers through contam- inated house dust, old paint, soil, and water. The main sources of lead exposure vary from one place to another, but in New York the biggest catalysts of lead poisoning are the lead hazards in pre-1978 housing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New York has more children identified with elevated blood lead levels than any other state. Over 100,000 young children in the state may have a blood lead level of 5 micrograms per deciliter (pg/dL) or higher. According to the Council on Environmental Health, lead-based paint hazards are the most significant sources of exposure in children. New York also has the nation's greatest number of housing units, the highest percentage of pre-1960 and pre-1950 housing, and the oldest housing inventory among the 50 states. This older housing stock places New York- ers at greater risk of exposure to lead hazards. Lead is widely recog- nized as an issue of environmental justice because low-income children living in older housing have the highest risk of lead poisoning. The mandated disclosure of lead-paint test reports provided for in this bill will ensure that tenants and homeowners in New York can choose to move into buildings free of any unknown lead-paint hazards. This bill will also give state health officials the knowledge of which properties do and do not have lead paint hazards. By making this information public, the private market will encourage proactive repair and mainte- nance to address lead paint hazards.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.