Exciting Things to Come!
Your Monthly Update From Lead-Free NJ
July 26, 2022
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Lead-Free New Jersey Applauds Funding for Lead Remediation in the State Budget |
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“Lead-Free New Jersey and our partners are happy to report that Governor Murphy just signed the FY2023 state budget and allocated $170 million dollars for home lead paint remediation. Thank you to Governor Murphy and the New Jersey Legislature for prioritizing this important need and funding the crucial work of keeping New Jersey’s children safe from lead paint. This budget allocation reaffirms the Administration’s and the Legislature’s commitment to removing the danger of lead paint from New Jersey homes once and for all.”
Read the full statement from the Lead-Free NJ Co-Chairs Rashan Prailow and Debbie Mans on the FY2023 state budget here.
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NEW Lead Laws In Effect: July 22, 2022 |
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Two important milestones in lead remediation occurred this month, both of which LFNJ partners and members should know about as New Jersey consumers to ensure that landlords and municipalities are doing their part. The first, regarding lead paint, requires all rental dwelling units to be inspected for lead-based paint within two years of the effective date of the law, July 22, 2022, or upon tenant turnover, whichever is earlier. Therefore, the first inspection must take place no later than July 22, 2024. Learn more about the lead paint certificate law, your rights and find frequently asked questions and answers here.
Additionally, the NJ Lead Service Line (LSL) law, passed last year, required that an initial plan be submitted for replacing all lead service lines within a service area within 12 months of the effective date of Governor Murphy’s act, Ch. 183, which has a deadline of July 22, 2022. That initial plan, and all plan updates thereafter, must provide for an annual replacement of at least 10% of the lead service lines.
If you have questions about your service line or your town’s service lines, please reach out to your water supplier. If you are uncertain who your water supplier is, you can look it up on NJ Drinking Water Watch.
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LFNJ First In-Person Hub Meeting |
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Our first LFNJ in-person hub meeting took place at Kean University on July 13, prior to the Jersey Water Works annual membership meeting. After the hubs shared their projects and objectives, we had a robust discussion about joint advocacy goals. We will continue working together to increase communication and information regarding lead to local communities through training, materials, and education as well as organizing ways to provide oversight of the new lead laws which went into effect on July 22, 2022. |
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From left to right from back: Hannah Reynolds, NJF; Kevin Cenac, HFAN; Ravi Ramsaran, NWC; Heather Sorge, LFNJ; Bavisha Kaylyan, NWC; Walter Diaz, NWC; Shereyl Snider, ETC; Anthony Diaz, NWC; and Deandrah Cameron, NJF (front). Photo Credit: Deandrah Cameron |
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The Start of the School Year Brings Joy For Some, but Risks for All |
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As the summer begins to wind down, our thoughts shift from summer fun to preparing for the start of the school year. However, we should also be aware of the dangers of lead. “Back to School” also can mean back to potential exposure to lead in the air and to lead contamination in soil, playgrounds and yards. Read the entire LFNJ July blog post here.
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Save the Date: LFNJ Membership Meeting |
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Please register in advance and save the date for our next LFNJ Membership Meeting, which will take place on Wednesday, September 28 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. We will receive updates on the progress and implementation of the new lead laws, hear from our LFNJ hub leaders, and discuss next steps regarding lead advocacy, NJ lead laws, and the LFNJ collaborative. Please join us: we want to hear from you and listen to your lead story!
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NEW Portuguese Flyer & Additional Resources |
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You Can Take Action! Get Your Child Tested!
Use this handy Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Child Lead Testing Request Card to ask your medical provider to test your children, especially those under age six! This is just one of the ways we are working to #GetTheLeadOut of New Jersey.
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Stay Connected With LFNJ on Social Media
Are you following us on social media yet? Get up-to-date information from Lead-Free NJ even faster on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and NOW, LinkedIn. Take a minute to hit follow! |
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Do you have a lead-free event, opportunity, or highlight you'd like to share? Email Heather Sorge with the details and get it featured in the next newsletter!
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Lead-Related Bills to Watch:
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S280 - Requires DOE and DCF to establish online reporting systems for schools and child care centers to report lead testing results.
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A799 - Allows gross income tax deduction for amounts paid for removal of lead, asbestos, sodium, chloride, and other contaminants from taxpayer's property. Community Development and Affairs
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A659 - Authorizes common law public nuisance suits regarding lead paint under State law; exempts Attorney General from certain aspects of public nuisance claims when pursuing lead paint actions.
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A1892 - Allows municipalities to establish loan programs to fund replacement of lead service lines.
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A2416 - Requires financial institution that has foreclosed on property to remove water service lines that contain lead.
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A3712/S2695 - Requires disclosure of lead drinking water hazards to tenants of residential units; prohibits landlords from obstructing replacement of lead service lines; requires inspection of residential rental units for lead drinking water hazards.
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The Mission of Lead-Free NJ
About 4,000 children in NJ are lead-poisoned every year. Many of these children reside in low-income communities and/or communities of color and are most at risk because investments have not been made to remove lead from its most common sources—paint, water, and soil. Lead-Free NJ is a collaborative made up of neighbors, friends, families, faith leaders, professionals, and elected officials working together to #GetTheLeadOut.
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Staff Contact Information |
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Heather Sorge, Program Manager
New Jersey Future
908-310-7874
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