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DESCRIPTION OF THE STRATEGY
State and local jurisdictions can help expedite primary prevention of childhood lead poisoning by disseminating applicable statutes and regulations in a user-friendly reference resource. Effective compilations include information about the full range of local, state, and federal lead poisoning prevention laws and regulations, including those governing lead-safe work practices, lead hazard control, rental property maintenance, and housing code requirements and enforcement mechanisms. This material can be researched, produced, and updated by entities such as health or housing agencies, court system agencies, law schools, or legal services programs. The compilations can take many forms, including bench books for attorneys and judges, and binders for use by health and code enforcement departments, community-based organizations, and property management companies.
BENEFITS
Immediate/Direct
Results:
State and local agencies and courts will be able to expedite lead safety in homes and apartment buildings when all relevant laws and regulations are easily accessible.
Public Health
Benefits:
Another tool will be added to assist state and local jurisdictions stop a cycle where housing units repeatedly poison children.
Other
Indirect/Collateral Benefits:
Statutory and regulatory compilations can make agencies and courts more efficient, saving time, resources, and taxpayer dollars.
Scope of Potential Impact
Statewide City - or - County - Wide
PRIMARY ACTOR(S)
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KEY PARTNER(S)
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Health Department
Housing Agency
or Building Inspection Agency
| Judges
Local prosecutors
Other attorneys
Landlords
Law schools/legal services
Community-based organizations
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CRITICAL ELEMENTS
Staff
requirements:
Initial compilation of documents can require 50 to 100 hours from an attorney or legal assistant. Maintaining and updating the documents may require nominal time after any policy change is enacted.
Other resource requirements:
Access to paper and electronic copies of applicable state and local statutes and regulations is critical. Agencies also require search tools to locate these statutes and regulations.
Institutional
capacity required:
The agency producing the compilation needs staff familiar with state and local lead poisoning prevention laws and regulations. A legal intern could be valuable for this work.
Cost
considerations:
Excluding staff salaries and printing costs, this strategy should be cost effective. Limiting the number of printed copies by making the compilation available online or through e-mail in PDF format can reduce costs.
Timing issues:
None.
Feasibility of
Implementation:
High.
Potential Obstacles/Barriers
There are two potential obstacles to this strategy’s success. First, if case law is desired in the compilation, search tools are needed to locate past cases on lead poisoning prevention. Second, staff or interns may lack the time to maintain and update the compilation.
Additional Resources
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