Today New Jersey took another important step towards eliminating lead poisoning of our children. The Senate Committee on Economic Growth passed S-1147, a bill that will treat toxic lead like toxic radon, requiring inspections for lead paint hazards in both rental units and before a home is sold.
With New Jersey families spending increased time at home during the pandemic, it is more important than ever that we address this silent, invisible neurotoxin that causes permanent damage to children and health problems later in life. Isles, with decades of on-the-ground experience in home assessments, lead remediation, training, and policy, will continue to push for common-sense reforms to protect children.
The public sector cannot correct lead hazards alone. Landlords and homeowners need to be part of the solution.
Today’s vote is a critical first step. Next, the bill advances to the Senate Budget Committee, and public hearings will occur on the Assembly side in preparation for a floor vote in both houses. Stay tuned for more updates as it moves forward.
We thank Senators Ruiz, Cruz-Perez, Turner, Singleton, Smith, and Oroho, and all the other key legislators for their leadership and support on this issue. And we’re grateful for the work of our partners, including the Housing & Community Development Network of NJ, Green & Healthy Homes Initiative, Advocates for Children of New Jersey, New Jersey Future, the The Fund for New Jersey, and many others.
It’s time for NJ to address lead hazards at the source of contamination—to prevent lead poisoning in the first place—before we pay the exploding costs of special education, criminal justice, and lost lives. We look forward to making this change happen, with the support of good people in New Jersey.
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