A. The Department of Environmental Quality is hereby designated as the official agency of this state for purposes of cooperating with, and implementing the state lead-based paint reduction and regulation program under the jurisdiction of, the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

B. In addition to authority under the Oklahoma Environmental Quality Code, the Department shall have the power and duty to:

1. Issue, renew, reactivate and renew, reinstate, modify, suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue, renew, reactivate and renew, reinstate, or modify certification pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Lead-based Paint Management Act;

2. Cooperate with others in facilitating the development of educational and training programs, examinations, and community outreach materials, and cooperate with those who conduct educational and training programs or prepare materials related to lead-based paint activities and associated subjects;

3. Conduct, and determine the criteria for the successful completion of, certification examinations and provide for the confidentiality of examinations and individual scores;

4. Issue, renew, reinstate, modify, suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue, renew, reinstate, or modify accreditation to lead-based paint training programs and the providers of such programs, and recognize and approve out-of-state training programs and providers;

5. Enforce the provisions of this article, rules promulgated thereunder, and orders, accreditations and certifications issued pursuant thereto;

6. Collect and analyze samples to determine the presence and condition of lead-based paint as necessary for the enforcement of this article;

7. Convene and coordinate an interagency task force which shall meet on a regular basis to exchange information regarding lead poisoning prevention and lead-hazard control matters;

8. Establish liaison with other states having a state certification program to assure consistency of program requirements, in order to facilitate reciprocity of certification and accreditation among the several states;

9. Make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of the Department's duties and the execution of its powers pursuant to the Oklahoma Lead-based Paint Management Act including, but not limited to, contracts with the United States, other states, agencies and political subdivisions of this state;

10. Accept grants from the United States government, its agencies and instrumentalities, and any other source. To these ends, the Department shall have the power to comply with such conditions and execute such agreements as may be necessary and desirable; and

11. Otherwise exercise all incidental powers as necessary and proper to implement and enforce the provisions of the Oklahoma Lead-based Paint Management Act and the rules of the Board promulgated thereto.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 321, § 4, eff. July 1, 1994.