§ 42-128.1-12. Independent evaluation. In order to assure the effectiveness of the lead hazard awareness mitigation program established by this chapter and to recommend any changes, which may be necessary to appropriate, the auditor general shall:

(1)(i) Conduct a performance audit for the period ending December 31, 2003, of the duties and responsibilities assigned to the state agencies and to political subdivisions by this chapter and by the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act, chapter 24.6 of title 23, and of the effectiveness of this chapter in meeting its purposes. The auditor general may contract with independent firms and organizations with expertise in lead poisoning prevention and lead hazard mitigation to assist with the evaluation of matters set forth in this subsection.

(ii) The auditor general's report shall be submitted to the governor, the speaker of the house, the president of the senate, the chairperson of the housing resources commission and the director of health, on or before March 31, 2005, and shall contain, as appropriate, recommendations: (A) to make the programs established by this chapter and by the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act more effective in achieving their respective purposes; and (B) to address any unreasonable hardships caused by this chapter or likely to be caused by this chapter with its full implementation July 1, 2005.

(iii) The performance audit required by this subdivision shall, in addition to the examination of effectiveness of administration and the efficiency and adequacy of state agencies and political subdivisions in the performance of their duties under this chapter and the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act, include consideration of the following matters:

(A) The number and type and date of public service announcements required by § 42-128.1-6(1);

(B) The availability and distribution of education materials specified by § 42-128.1-6(2)(i);

(C) The number, date and location of lead hazard awareness seminars and the number of persons who have participated in those seminars;

(D) The number of "mitigation inspectors," average length of time necessary to conduct the inspections, the cost of meeting standards per inspection, and the availability of inspectors to conduct the inspections, at a reasonable cost needed in the various geographic areas of the state;

(E) The availability of programs to assist property owners, especially low and moderate income property owners;

(2) Conduct a performance audit for the period ending June 30, 2007, of the duties and responsibilities, as assigned by this chapter, to state agencies and political subdivisions and of the effectiveness of this chapter in meeting its purposes, especially with regard to increasing the supply of housing in which lead hazards have been mitigated and in reducing the incidence and severity of lead poisoning in Rhode Island. The auditor general may contract with independent firms and organizations with expertise in lead poisoning prevention and lead hazard mitigation to assist with the evaluation of matters set forth in this chapter. The auditor general's report shall be submitted to the governor, the speaker of the house, the president of the senate, the chairperson of the housing resources commission and the director of health, on or before January 1, 2008, and shall contain, as appropriate, recommendations: (i) to make the programs established by this chapter more effective in achieving the respective purposes; and (ii) to redress any unreasonable hardships caused by this chapter or likely to be caused by this chapter.

History of Section. (P.L. 2002, ch. 187, § 3; P.L. 2002, ch. 188, § 3; P.L. 2004, ch. 221, § 2; P.L. 2004, ch. 223, § 2; P.L. 2005, ch. 142, § 2; P.L. 2005, ch. 143, § 2.)