BILL REQ. #:  H-2453.2 

READ FIRST TIME 03/07/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to environmental lead paint hazards; adding new sections to chapter 70.103 RCW; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that a significant cause of lead poisoning in children may be the ingestion of lead particles from deteriorating lead-based paint in older, poorly maintained residences or from lead particles in the soil. The legislature finds that the health and development of these children could be endangered by chipping or peeling lead-based paint, excessive amounts of lead-contaminated dust in poorly maintained homes, and lead in soil of the residential property where they play. The legislature therefore finds that it is in the public interest to assess the risks to children's health caused by exposure to lead in paint and educate residential property owners about the potential dangers to children from exposure to lead in paint.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 70.103 RCW to read as follows:
     The department and the department of health shall jointly assess housing stock in Washington state to identify areas of potentially high risk for child lead exposure. In assessing the housing stock, the department and the department of health may use existing data and targeted testing for child lead exposure. Testing of buildings and land for the purpose of identifying the presence of lead shall be limited to areas inside a residential dwelling, as well as yard areas immediately surrounding the dwelling where children play. Commercial and industrial buildings and properties shall not be tested through the housing stock assessment program. The department and the department of health shall report their findings to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 31, 2005.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 70.103 RCW to read as follows:
     The department, in conjunction with the department of health and the department of ecology, shall establish a lead paint hazard education and awareness strategy to notify owners of affected residential properties and tenants about the risks of exposure from lead paint.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 2005, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and void.