§4981. Lead abatement program

1.  Program.  The Maine State Housing Authority shall establish and administer a program that provides assistance, including grants, for the abatement of lead paint hazards in residential housing, referred to in this subchapter as "the program." Program funds may be used to match federal funds available for lead abatement. The program is subject to the following conditions.

A. The Maine State Housing Authority shall establish eligibility standards for participation in the program, including, but not limited to, the following.

(1) Housing units or housing projects consisting of households with incomes up to 100% of the area median income as established by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, whether the housing is owned by an individual or a for-profit or nonprofit entity, are eligible.

(2) Annual rent for a housing unit or housing project receiving project funds may not exceed 30% of the area median income as established by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for 4 years after completion of the abatement work.

(3) Housing that serves as a child care location for children under 6 years of age is eligible as long as the owner has an annual income at or below 100% of the area median income as established by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Maine State Housing Authority may adopt the eligibility standards pursuant to this paragraph by routine technical rule as described in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.   [PL 2017, c. 460, Pt. M, §1 (NEW).]

B. All lead abatement performed pursuant to the program must comply with industry standards for lead abatement, including pre-abatement inspection and post-abatement inspection of the housing and other standards established by the Department of Environmental Protection. If the pre-abatement inspection identifies the presence of lead in or on the windows, replacement of those windows must be recommended.   [PL 2017, c. 460, Pt. M, §1 (NEW).]

C. An owner of housing that receives lead abatement assistance under the program shall pay a portion of the abatement costs as follows:

(1) At least 10% of the costs of abatement; or

(2) At least 25% of the costs of abatement if a child who is a resident of, or who receives child care services in, the housing has been determined to have lead poisoning, as defined in Title 22, section 1315, subsection 5-C.   [PL 2017, c. 460, Pt. M, §1 (NEW).]

Priority for program funds must be given to abatement projects for housing in which a child who has been determined to have lead poisoning, as defined in Title 22, section 1315, subsection 5-C, resides.

[PL 2017, c. 460, Pt. M, §1 (NEW).]

2.  Lead Abatement Fund.  The Lead Abatement Fund, referred to in this subchapter as "the fund," is established under the jurisdiction and control of the Maine State Housing Authority. The fund is nonlapsing and must be used to fund the program. The fund consists of funds appropriated or allocated by the Legislature for the purpose of this section and other funds acquired by the Maine State Housing Authority to accomplish the purpose of the program.

[PL 2017, c. 460, Pt. M, §1 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 2017, c. 460, Pt. M, §1 (NEW).