Bill Text - SB247 (2018)

(New Title) preventing childhood lead poisoning from paint and water.


Revision: May 16, 2017, 10:19 a.m.

SB 247-FN-A - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

 

03/16/2017   0795s

03/16/2017   0877s

2017 SESSION

17-0979

01/10

 

SENATE BILL 247-FN-A

 

AN ACT preventing childhood lead poisoning from paint and water and making an appropriation to a special fund.

 

SPONSORS: Sen. Feltes, Dist 15; Sen. Bradley, Dist 3; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Sen. Fuller Clark, Dist 21; Sen. Hennessey, Dist 5; Sen. Kahn, Dist 10; Sen. Soucy, Dist 18; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Rep. Nelson, Carr. 5; Rep. Messmer, Rock. 24; Rep. LeBrun, Hills. 32

 

COMMITTEE: Health and Human Services

 

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

 

This bill makes various changes in the laws regarding lead.  Some of the changes are as follows:

 

I.  Changes the blood levels for parental notification and property owners relative to blood lead levels in children.

 

II.  Requires testing for blood lead levels  in children at the age of one and 2.

 

III.  Establishes a remediation of lead in water and rental housing fund and makes an appropriation for the purposes of the fund.

 

IV.  Requires insurance coverage for blood lead level testing.

 

V.  Requires certain notification regarding lead for the purchase and sale of certain real estate.

 

VI.  Requires testing for lead in drinking  water in child care facilities and schools.

 

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

03/16/2017   0795s 17-0979

03/16/2017   0877s 01/10

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seventeen

 

AN ACT preventing childhood lead poisoning from paint and water and making an appropriation to a special fund.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  Lead Paint Poisoning Prevention; Parental Notification.  Amend RSA 130-A:6-b to read as follows:

130-A:6-b  Parent Notification.  The department shall send materials to the parents of any child with a blood lead level of [5]3 micrograms per deciliter or higher.  Such materials shall inform parents who are tenants to work with the property owner and advise against engaging in renovation, repair, or painting activities themselves.  Such materials shall inform parents who own and occupy the house in which the child resides of resources for identifying and eliminating lead hazards, including the Renovation, Repair and Painting Program.

2  Lead Paint Poisoning Prevention; Property Owner Notification.  Amend RSA 130-A:6-a, I to read as follows:

I.  The department shall notify in writing the owner or registered agent of an owner of a dwelling or dwelling unit where the child resides if a venous blood test lead level of [5]3 to 9.9 micrograms per deciliter is found in the child's blood.  Such notice to the property owner shall specify that it is neither a finding that a lead exposure hazard exists in the property nor is it an order for lead hazard reduction.  Such notice shall include information about the health hazards of lead poisoning, standards for identifying and eliminating lead hazards, and the federal Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program.

3  Lead Paint Poisoning Prevention and Control, Testing for Blood Levels.  Amend RSA 130-A:5-a to read as follows:

130-A:5-a  Universal Testing; Health Care Providers; Not Liable.  All health care providers who provide primary medical care shall [ensure that parents and guardians of children 6 years of age or younger are advised of the availability and advisability of screening and testing their children for lead in accordance with this chapter] conduct blood testing of all one and 2-year old patients to determine a blood lead level. A health care provider shall not be liable for not performing a [screening or confirmation] test for blood lead level when a parent or guardian has been informed of the [availability and advisability of screening] blood test requirement and has refused to consent or has failed to follow through in response to a referral for a [screening or confirmation] test.  Nothing in this section shall prevent a health care provider from recommending blood testing for children younger than one year or older than 2 years should circumstances, including potential lead hazard exposures, warrant such testing.

4  New Section; Lead Paint Poisoning Prevention and Control; Blood Lead Testing.  Amend RSA 130-A by inserting after section 5-b the following new section:

130-A:5-c  Blood Lead Testing.

I.  All parents or legal guardians shall have their children who are residing in this state tested for blood lead level at the ages of one and 2.  Effective July 1, 2019, no child 6 years old or younger shall be admitted or enrolled in any school or child care agency, public or private, unless it is demonstrated that such child has been tested for blood lead level at the ages of one and 2 or, should it not be possible to demonstrate testing at these ages, testing on at least one occasion prior admission or enrollment shall be performed.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, parents shall be provided a period of 30 days following admission or enrollment to obtain a blood lead level test or documentation of an appointment within 30 days or to obtain and provide proof of testing.

II.  The requirements for admission or enrollment contained in this section shall not apply if the parent or guardian executes and provides to the school or child care agency a form prepared by the department acknowledging that he or she understands the benefits of blood lead testing and is affirmatively refusing such testing.  Such form shall be prepared by the department, in coordination with the department of education, no later than March 1, 2019 and shall contain information regarding the health risks associated with childhood lead poisoning and the health benefits of blood lead testing.

III.  A child shall be exempt from this required blood lead level testing if a parent or legal guardian objects to such testing because of religious beliefs and provides sworn statement to such effect or if a physician licensed under RSA 329, or a physician exempted under RSA 329:21, III, certifies that blood lead level testing may be detrimental to the child's health.  The latter exemption shall exist only for the length of time that, in the opinion of the physician, testing would be detrimental to the child.

5  New Sections; Remediation of Lead in Water and Rental Housing Fund.  Amend RSA 130-A by inserting after section 15 the following new sections:

130-A:15-a  Remediation of Lead in Water and Rental Housing Fund Established.

I.  There is hereby established the remediation of lead in water and rental housing fund to be used to for the purposes of remediating lead in water and in rental housing.  The fund shall be composed of appropriations, gifts, grants, donations, bequests, or other moneys from any public or private source and shall be used to pay costs to remediate lead in water and rental housing.  The fund shall be nonlapsing and shall be continually appropriated to the commissioner of the department of health and human services for the purposes of this chapter.  In using moneys from the fund for the purpose of remediating lead in rental housing the commissioner shall contract with the New Hampshire housing finance authority.  The fund may reimburse owners of for-profit and not-for-profit rental property for the costs of remediation of lead in water, including installation and replacement of water filters and also the costs of replacing windows, doors, and other components that pose lead hazards provided that:

(a) Such replacements are conducted in accordance with lead-safe practices under applicable laws and regulations; and

(b)  Whether or not the property has been the subject of an order for lead hazard reduction pursuant to RSA 130-A:6 or an enforcement action under RSA 130-A:7.

II.  The department shall prepare a schedule of reimbursable costs for such components premised on 75 percent of the reasonable cost of purchase and installation, or 100 percent of the reasonable cost of purchase and installation if there is a demonstrated financial hardship.  One-third of the annual fund moneys may be used for loan loss reserve purposes in order to back or otherwise secure low-interest loans from New Hampshire banks for the purpose of this section.

130-A:15-b  Rulemaking for the Remediation of Lead in Water and Rental Housing Fund.  In developing the schedule of the reimbursable costs and the rules for the administration of the fund provided for in RSA 130-A:15-a, the department shall consult with stakeholders representing including, but not limited to, landlords, tenants, public health interests, realtors, financial services and banking industry.

6  New Subparagraph; Application of Receipts; Remediation of Lead in Water and Rental Housing Fund.  Amend RSA 6:12, I(b) by inserting after subparagraph (333) the following new subparagraph:

(334)  Moneys deposited in the remediation of lead in water and rental housing fund established in RSA 130-A:15-a.

7  Child Day Care Licensing; License or Permit Suspension, Revocation, or Denial.  Amend RSA 170-E:12, XII and XIII to read as follows:

XII.  Fails to comply with the corrective action plan submitted by the child day care agency and approved by the department; [or]

XIII.  Loses health, safety or zoning approval; or

XIV.  Fails to comply with applicable public health laws and regulations concerning lead.

8  New Paragraph; Residential Care and Child-Placing Agency Licensing; License or Permit Suspension, Revocation, or Denial.  Amend RSA 170-E:35 by inserting after paragraph XV the following new paragraph:

XVI.  Fails to comply with applicable public health laws and regulations concerning lead.

9  New Section; Coverage for Blood Lead Testing; Individual.  Amend RSA 415 by inserting after section 6-u the following new section:

415:6-v  Coverage for Blood Lead Testing; Individual.  Each insurer that issues or renews any individual policy, plan, or contract of accident or health insurance providing benefits for medical or hospital expenses shall provide to persons covered by such insurance who are residents of this state coverage for the costs of blood lead testing conducted pursuant to RSA 130-A:5-a.  Benefits provided under this section shall not be subject to any greater co-payment, deductible, or coinsurance than any other similar benefits provided by the insurer.

10  New Section; Coverage for Blood Lead Testing; Individual.  Amend RSA 415 by inserting after section 18-z the following new section:

415:18-aa  Coverage for Blood Lead Testing; Group.  Each insurer that issues or renews any policy of group or blanket accident or health insurance providing benefits for medical or hospital expenses shall provide to each group, or to the portion of each group comprised of certificate holders of such insurance who are residents of this state, coverage for coverage for the costs of blood lead testing conducted pursuant to RSA 130-A:5-a.  Benefits provided under this section shall not be subject to any greater co-payment, deductible, or coinsurance than any other similar benefits provided by the insurer.

11  Health Services Corporations; Applicable Statutes; Effective Until January 1, 2021 at 12:01 a.m.  Amend RSA 420-A:2 to read as follows:

420-A:2  Applicable Statutes.  Every health service corporation shall be governed by this chapter and the relevant provisions of RSA 161-H, and shall be exempt from this title except for the provisions of RSA 400-A:39, RSA 401-B, RSA 402-C, RSA 404-F, RSA 415-A, RSA 415-F, RSA 415:6, II(4), RSA 415:6-g, RSA 415:6-k, RSA 415:6-m, RSA 415:6-o, RSA 415:6-r, RSA 415:6-t, RSA 415:6-u, RSA 415:6-v, RSA 415:18, V, RSA 415:18, XVI and XVII, RSA 415:18, VII-a, RSA 415:18-a, RSA 415:18-j, RSA 415:18-o, RSA 415:18-r, RSA 415:18-t, RSA 415:18-u, RSA 415:18-v, RSA 415:18-w, RSA 415:18-y, RSA 415:18-z, RSA 415:18-aa, RSA 415:22, RSA 417, RSA 417-E, RSA 420-J, and all applicable provisions of title XXXVII wherein such corporations are specifically included.  Every health service corporation and its agents shall be subject to the fees prescribed for health service corporations under RSA 400-A:29, VII.

12  Health Services Corporations; Applicable Statutes; Effective January 1, 2021 at 12:01 a.m.  Amend RSA 420-A:2 to read as follows:

420-A:2  Applicable Statutes.  Every health service corporation shall be governed by this chapter and the relevant provisions of RSA 161-H, and shall be exempt from this title except for the provisions of RSA 400-A:39, RSA 401-B, RSA 402-C, RSA 404-F, RSA 415-A, RSA 415-F, RSA 415:6, II(4), RSA 415:6-g, RSA 415:6-k, RSA 415:6-m, RSA 415:6-o, RSA 415:6-r, RSA 415:6-u, RSA 415:6-v, RSA 415:18, V, RSA 415:18, XVI and XVII, RSA 415:18, VII-a, RSA 415:18-a, RSA 415:18-j, RSA 415:18-o, RSA 415:18-r, RSA 415:18-t, RSA 415:18-u, RSA 415:18-v, RSA 415:18-w, RSA 415:18-z, RSA 415:18-aa, RSA 415:22, RSA 417, RSA 417-E, RSA 420-J, and all applicable provisions of title XXXVII wherein such corporations are specifically included.  Every health service corporation and its agents shall be subject to the fees prescribed for health service corporations under RSA 400-A:29, VII.

13  Health Maintenance Organizations; Statutory Construction; Effective October 1, 2017, at 12:02 a.m.  Amend RSA 420-B:20, III to read as follows:

III.  The requirements of RSA 400-A:39, RSA 401-B, RSA 402-C, RSA 404-F, RSA 415:6-g, RSA 415:6-m, RSA 415:6-o, RSA 415:6-r, RSA 415:6-t, RSA 415:6-u, RSA 415:6-v, RSA 415:18, VII-a, RSA 415:18, XVI and XVII, RSA 415:18-j, RSA 415:18-r, RSA 415:18-t, RSA 415:18-u, RSA 415:18-v, RSA 415:18-w, RSA 415:18-y, RSA 415:18-z, RSA 415:18-aa, RSA 415-A, RSA 415-F, RSA 420-G, and RSA 420-J shall apply to health maintenance organizations.

14  Health Maintenance Organizations; Statutory Construction; Effective January 1, 2021 at 12:01 a.m.  Amend RSA 420-B:20, III to read as follows:

III.  The requirements of RSA 400-A:39, RSA 401-B, RSA 402-C, RSA 404-F, RSA 415:6-g, RSA 415:6-m, RSA 415:6-o, RSA 415:6-r, RSA 415:6-u, RSA 415:6-v, RSA 415:18, VII-a, RSA 415:18, XVI and XVII, RSA 415:18-j, RSA 415:18-r, RSA 415:18-t, RSA 415:18-u, RSA 415:18-v, RSA 415:18-w, RSA 415:18-z, RSA 415:18-aa, RSA 415-A, RSA 415-F, RSA 420-G, and RSA 420-J shall apply to health maintenance organizations.

15  Realty Conveyances and Interests; Notification Required; Lead.  Amend the section heading and paragraph I of RSA 477:4-a to read as follows:

477:4-a  Notification Required; Radon, Arsenic, and Lead [Paint].  

I.  Prior to the execution of any contract for the purchase and sale of any interest in real property which includes a building, the seller, or seller's agent, shall provide the following notification to the buyer.  The buyer shall acknowledge receipt of this notification by signing a copy of such notification:  

"Radon:  Radon, the product of decay of radioactive materials in rock, may be found in some areas of New Hampshire.  Radon gas may pass into a structure through the ground or through water from a deep well.  Testing of the air by a professional certified in radon testing and testing of the water by an accredited laboratory can establish radon's presence and equipment is available to remove it from the air or water.''

"Arsenic:  Arsenic is a common groundwater contaminant in New Hampshire that occurs at unhealthy levels in well water in many areas of the state.  Tests are available to determine whether arsenic is present at unsafe levels, and equipment is available to remove it from water.  The buyer is encouraged to consult the New Hampshire department of environmental services private well testing recommendations (www.des.nh.gov) to ensure a safe water supply if the subject property is served by a private well.''

"Lead [Paint]:  Before [1977] 1978, paint containing lead may have been used in structures.  Exposure to lead from the presence of flaking, chalking, chipping lead paint or lead paint dust from friction surfaces, or from the disturbance of intact surfaces containing lead paint through unsafe renovation, repair or painting practices, or from soils in close proximity to the building, can present a serious health hazard, especially to young children and pregnant women.  Lead may also be present in drinking water as a result of lead in service lines, plumbing and fixtures.  Tests are available to determine whether lead is present in paint or drinking water.''

16  New Section; Lead in Drinking Water in School and Child Care Facilities.  Amend RSA 485 by inserting after section 17 the following new section:

485:17-a  Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities.

I.  No later than 180 days after the effective date of this section, and within every 5-year period thereafter, public and private schools and licensed and license-exempt child care that have not sampled in the prior 2 years shall test for the presence of lead in drinking water at all locations at the facility that is available for consumption by children.  Such testing shall be in accordance with guidance from the department of environmental services.  If test results demonstrate the presence of lead in a concentration that exceeds the applicable standard established by the Environmental Protection Agency, the school or licensed child care facility shall, within 5 business days, notify parents and guardians and shall, as an interim measure, ensure that the children are provided only drinking water that meets the standard.  The school or licensed child care facility shall also implement a remediation plan, as approved by the department within 30 days of notification of parents or, in consultation with the department, as soon as practicable.  The department shall review the plan and any associated submittals within 30 days of receiving them.  If 3 consecutive rounds of sampling performed every 5 years are below the standard, further testing shall not be required.

II.  Any time the applicable federal standard for lead in drinking water is changed, public and private schools and licensed child care facilities shall within 30 days compare the results of their most recent testing with such new standard and, in the event any such results exceed the new standard, proceed with the requirements of paragraph I relative to notice, remediation, and interim measures.

17  New Section; Safe Drinking Water Act; Identification and Disclosure of Lead in Public Water Systems.  Amend RSA 485 by inserting after section 23-a the following new section:

485:23-b  Identification and Disclosure of Lead in Public Water Systems.  By January 1, 2019, all public water systems and privately owned redistribution systems shall make reasonable efforts to identify and publicly disclose all lead components that are in contact with drinking water supplied to customers from their systems and shall make reasonable efforts to prevent elevated lead levels in their systems.  These efforts shall include, at a minimum: reviewing applicable system and public records; consulting with system staff; requesting information from customers whose drinking water may be affected; and documenting any new information about lead in their systems.  This section shall not require any system to perform excavation or conduct inspections on all customer premises to identify lead components.  Subject to the availability of funds, portions of the costs of eliminating lead pipes may be eligible for funding from the drinking water and groundwater trust fund established in RSA 6-D:1.

18  New Section; Testing for Presence of Lead Prior to Leasing Unit Required.  Amend RSA 540-A by inserting after section 3 the following new section:

540-A:3-a  Testing for Presence of Lead in Drinking Water.  Any time a child tests positive for lead the department of health and human services shall test the water in the unit for lead.  If the presence of lead in the drinking water exceeds the action level established by the Environmental Protection Agency, the landlord shall notify the tenant or prospective tenant and, shall install on the kitchen faucet a filtering device certified to reduce lead by NSF International/American National Standards Institute and follow all standards for the replacement of the filtering device and cartridges.  The landlord shall not be required to maintain or install water filters where the source of the lead has been removed and the water tests below the action level established by the Environmental Protection Agency, as verified by the department of health and human services.

19  Reporting and Recommendation on Lead Poisonings Between 3 and 9.9 Micrograms.  The department of health and human services shall provide a report to the childhood lead poisoning prevention and screening commission, established pursuant to RSA 130-A:19, on or by December 31, 2017, which shall include a comprehensive accounting of venous blood test levels of 3 micrograms or higher from the effective date this act until December 31, 2017, including, but not limited to, any and all raw data points excluding personally identifying information and the disclosure of methods of retrieving, collecting, or otherwise receiving such data.  After a review and public discussion of this report, the childhood lead poisoning prevention and screening commission shall make a recommendation to the general court relative to whether and how to lower the current threshold of 10 micrograms provided for in RSA 130-A:5, I.

20  Appropriation.  The sum of $3,000,000 for fiscal year ending June 30, 2018 and the sum of $3,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019 are hereby appropriated to the department of health and human services to be deposited in the remediation of lead in water and rental housing fund, established in RSA 130-A:15-a.  The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sums out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

21  Lead Paint Poisoning Prevention and Control; Testing for Blood Levels  RSA 130-A:5-a is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:

130-A:5-a Health Care Providers; Not Liable.  All health care providers who provide primary medical care shall ensure that parents and guardians of children 6 years of age or younger are advised of the availability and advisability of screening and testing their children for lead in accordance with this chapter.  A health care provider shall not be liable for not performing a screening or confirmation test for blood lead level when a parent or guardian has been informed of the availability and advisability of screening and has refused to consent or has failed to follow through in response to a referral for a screening or confirmation test.

22  Repeal.  RSA 130-A:5-c, relative to blood lead testing.

23  Contingent Effectiveness.  Sections 21 and 22 shall take effect July 1, 2019 if the appropriation in section 20 of this act does not continue for fiscal year 2020 at least at the same amount as appropriated in section 20.

24  Effective Date.

I.  Sections 9, 10, 11, and 13 shall take effect October 1, 2017 at 12:03 a.m.

II.  Sections 12 and 14 shall take effect January 1, 2021 at 12:02 a.m.

III.  Sections 21 and 22 shall take effect as provided in section 23 of this act.

IV.  The remainder of this act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

 

LBAO

17-0979

Amended 5/16/17

 

SB 247-FN-A- FISCAL NOTE

AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2017-1628h)

 

AN ACT preventing childhood lead poisoning from paint and water and making an appropriation to a special fund.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:      [ X ] State              [ X ] County               [ X ] Local              [    ] None

 

 

 

Estimated Increase / (Decrease)

STATE:

FY 2018

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2021

   Appropriation

$3,000,000

$3,000,000

$0

$0

   Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

   Expenditures

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Funding Source:

  [ X ] General            [    ] Education            [    ] Highway           [ X ] Other

 

 

 

 

 

COUNTY:

 

 

 

 

   Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

   Expenditures

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

 

 

 

 

 

LOCAL:

 

 

 

 

   Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

   Expenditures

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

 

METHODOLOGY:

This bill makes several changes to statutes related to lead such as adopting rules; lowering the threshold for investigating cases of lead poising in children; requiring blood testing in one and two year olds with parental consent and prohibiting children age six or younger from enrolling in school or childcare facilities without testing unless an exemption is granted; requiring insurance companies to cover certain expenses related to lead blood testing; redefining the term "lead paint" to "lead" and expands the definition; establishing a program for maintenance practices of pre-1978 rental properties and childcare facilities; and requiring schools, childcare facilities, public water systems, and rental units to be tested for the presence of lead within certain time periods as well as requiring notification, public disclosure, and remediation efforts regarding lead in drinking water.  This bill appropriates $3,000,000 in each FY 2018 and FY 2019 to the Department of Health and Human Services to be deposited into the newly created Remediation of Lead in Water and Multifamily Housing Fund.  Funds are nonlapsing and are in addition to any other grants or donations for the purposes of lead in water remediation as well as in multifamily housing in consultation with the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority.

 

The Department of Environmental Services states this bill would result in an indeterminable increase to State, county, and local expenditures.  Per the Department, there are 631 (492 public and 139 private) schools and 887 licensed daycares in New Hampshire, but it is unable to estimate the number of license-exempt childcare facilities.  The Department states increased expenditures would be associated with testing and remediation mostly in FY 2018, with negligible increases in expenditures in subsequent fiscal years through 2021.  The Department assumes the average time for staff to review and process the interim and final remediation plans required for schools, licensed daycares, and exempt childcare facilities exceeding the current federal lead standard would be three hours for technical review by an engineer at $75.00 per hour and one hour for processing by a program assistant at $35.00 per hour.  Current costs for a lead test performed by the State is $15.00 each.  The Department also assumes 50 percent of the tests would exceed the lead standard at one or more location where drinking water is available within a facility or school.  Based on these assumptions the Department estimates it would cost $147,600 (492 schools X 20 drinking water locations within in each school X $15.00 per test) to test municipally owned public schools.  The cost for reviewing the interim and final report for schools and licensed daycare would result in $170,775 (1518 schools and childcare facilities X 50% = 2277 hours at $75.00 per hour) for engineering review and $26,565 (1518 schools and childcare facilities X 50% = 759 hours at $35.00 per hour) for processing.  The Department anticipates federal grant funds would be applicable toward these costs.  State, county, and local estimates toward remediation efforts cannot be provided due to insufficient information regarding public water systems as well as the scope of remediation that may be required in each instance.    

 

The Department of Health and Human Services anticipates expanding the existing Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Program within the Division of Public Health Services to implement the requirements of this bill.  The Department estimates it would require 3.5 full-time equivalent employees to implement new activities within the program.  Hiring would occur over three fiscal years. By FY 2020, 2.0 FTE Environmentalist III (LG23) would be hired and cross-trained in on site investigations, water testing, licensing, and work site compliance as well as a 1.0 FTE Public Health Nurse Case Consultant (LG25) to provide case management services. An additional 0.5 FTE Supervisor III (LG21) would be supplemented with other existing funding to make a full-time position to oversee notification and educational letters to parents and property owners statewide and the increased legal case load of Administrative Orders of Lead Hazard Reduction, fines, appeals, and coordination with the Attorney General’s office.  Costs include salaries, benefits, and equipment which are estimated to be $175,000 in FY 2018, $318,500 in FY 2019, $333,000 in FY 2020, and $339,000 in FY 2021.  Additionally, the Department would be responsible for expending $3,000,000 of appropriations in each FY 2018 and FY 2019 toward remediation efforts.

 

The New Hampshire Municipal Association states there would be an indeterminable increase to expenditures to the extent lead is detected in water systems requiring public disclosure and remediation.  The New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority states this bill would result in minimal fiscal impact to expenditures.

 

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Departments of Environmental Services, Education and Health and Human Services, New Hampshire Municipal Association, and New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority