AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- LEAD HAZARD MITIGATION (Allows a landlord that did not obtain a lead certificate pursuant to the lead mitigation laws of chapter 128.1 of title 42 due to the fact that the state lacks the adequate resources to conduct inspections.)

S2121

2026 -- S 2121
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LC003330
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- LEAD HAZARD MITIGATION

Introduced By:
Senators de la Cruz, Ciccone, Dimitri, Burke, Patalano, and Rogers

Date Introduced:
January 16, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Housing & Municipal Government
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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LC003330
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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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LC003330
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