Dear Rep. Kerri Evelyn Harris,

I am joining with my friends and colleagues to encourage you to join the coalition to protect Delaware’s children from exposed lead paint.

Lead-based paint for residential use was banned nearly 50 years ago, yet hundreds of young children per year are diagnosed with heightened lead levels in their blood every year in Delaware.

Delaware led the country by becoming the first state to ban lead-based paint on outdoor structures in 2018. The bill received bipartisan and unanimous passage.

Delaware can lead the nation again in 2025 by requiring landlords, over a period of years, to remediate exposed lead paint in their units.

This is an incredibly important step of requiring landlords to inspect their older units for this neurotoxin and, if it is found, get rid of it before it poisons more children.

This will be a significant victory to reduce Delaware’s unconscionable levels of childhood lead poisoning.

I ask you Rep. Kerri Evelyn Harris please join with myself and others in our community by supporting strengthened amendments to House Bill 70 enforcement provisions, a start date of 2026, increased fines for landlords who refuse to remove lead paint, inspection of all units not just 5 units, and inspection by certified workers.

I know you have stood for our kids in the past, please stand up for our children today and ensure no kid in Delaware ever has to experience lead poisoning!