New Hampshire Updates Lead Law to Enhance Child Safety in Older Buildings

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CONCORD, N.H. – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has announced significant updates to the state's lead laws, set to take effect on July 1, 2024. These changes aim to minimize young children's exposure to lead hazards, particularly in older buildings constructed before 1978.

According to the City of Rochester's announcement, the updated regulations stem from the enactment of Senate Bill 247 in 2018, which introduced RSA 130-A:5-d. This amendment requires that properties built before 1978 and converted into rental housing after July 1, 2024, obtain a Lead-Safe Certificate from a licensed NH Risk Assessor. However, existing rental properties and owner-occupied homes are exempt from this requirement.

Dr. Jonathan Ballard, DHHS Chief Medical Officer, highlighted the importance of the update, noting, “Even low levels of lead in a child’s blood can impact their ability to think, learn, and concentrate. With over 32,000 young children in New Hampshire living in older homes potentially containing lead paint, proactive measures are essential.”

Furthermore, the new law mandates that all childcare facilities in pre-1978 buildings, which become newly licensed after the law's enactment, must also secure a Lead-Safe Certificate. Current childcare facilities are not required to comply retroactively.

For a property to receive a Lead-Safe Certificate, it must be free of lead exposure risks. This includes the absence of lead-based paint that is peeling, chipping, or flaking, especially on surfaces that undergo frequent friction or impact, such as windows and doors, and surfaces that children might chew.

The DHHS's Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Program is at the forefront of this initiative, offering services such as blood lead level monitoring, investigations, care coordination, and the licensing of lead abatement professionals. The program also focuses on educating parents and caregivers about the critical need for blood lead testing for children at ages one and two.

For more information on obtaining a Lead-Safe Certificate and to view a list of licensed NH Risk Assessors, residents are encouraged to visit the DHHS Lead Poisoning Prevention Program webpage.