Lawmaker proposes law requiring city to test students for lead exposure
A state senator is planning to introduce legislation Tuesday that would require city elementary school children to be tested for lead exposure.
Sen. Jesse Hamilton (D-Brooklyn) is dropping the bill four weeks after investigators revealed that the New York City Housing Authority failed to conducted mandated lead paint inspections for four years and lied to the federal government about it.
The bill would require parents to provide proof of testing for kids entering kindergarten, second or fourth grade. If they don’t have proof, parents would be directed to get their children tested in their home borough.
“Every NYCHA resident deserves safe housing. Every child growing up in NYCHA housing deserves to be free from hazardous lead,” said Hamilton.
“As someone who grew up in NYCHA housing myself, I know it is our duty to ensure NYCHA lives up to its responsibilities.”
The bill would take effect immediately upon passage.
Last week, city officials said the city would offer testing to children six and under living in more than 2,000 NYCHA apartments that may have lead paint.