rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/letter/renters-and-buyers-need-protection-from-lead?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-letter-area-renters-and-buyers-need-protection-from-lead' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> Clean+Healthy https://actionnetwork.org/groups/clean-and-healthy-ny https://actionnetwork.org//images/generic_facebook.jpg Renters and home buyers need legislative protection from lead. New York State has the highest incidence of childhood lead poisoning nationally, in part due to its more than five million homes that were built before 1978 when lead paint was banned. Renters and buyers move into their homes without knowing whether lead is still present and may only made aware after a child's blood test result show elevated lead levels. When children are poisoned, it results in damage to the brain and nervous system, lower IQs, slowing of growth and development, impacts to hearing and speech, and learning and behavioral problems. Current law requires that sellers or lessors of pre-1978 housing stock tell buyers or renters if they know that there is lead-based paint in the residence, but it does not require or incentivize testing for lead-based paint. The Lead Based Paint Disclosure Act will ensure that testing happens and close the loophole that allows property owners to avoid knowing. It will require the New York State Department of Health to issue a report to track and address homes that have lead present. Renters and buyers deserve to know the truth about the presence of lead in their potential homes before making a financial commitment that may be detrimental to the health of their families’ lives. It can be done – we just need your help! Let Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie and Senate President Pro Tempore Andrea Stewart - Cousins know how important it is that these bills are brought to the floor for a vote.   Don’t know what to say? We’ve got you covered! Use the form on this page to send a letter to Assembly Speaker Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins to urge them to bring the Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Act to a vote in their house. https://actionnetwork.org/letters/renters-and-buyers-need-protection-from-lead