42 U.S.C. § 4851a
Purposes (THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE (42 U.S.C.))
Operative Text
The purposes of this chapter are— to develop a national strategy to build the infrastructure necessary to eliminate lead-based paint hazards in all housing as expeditiously as possible; to reorient the national approach to the presence of lead-based paint in housing to implement, on a priority basis, a broad program to evaluate and reduce lead-based paint hazards in the Nation’s housing stock; to encourage effective action to prevent childhood lead poisoning by establishing a workable framework for lead-based paint hazard evaluation and reduction and by ending the current confusion over reasonable standards of care; to ensure that the existence of lead-based paint hazards is taken into account in the development of Government housing policies and in the sale, rental, and renovation of homes and apartments; to mobilize national resources expeditiously, through a partnership among all levels of government and the private sector, to develop the most promising, cost-effective methods for evaluating and reducing lead-based paint hazards; to reduce the threat of childhood lead poisoning in housing owned, assisted, or transferred by the Federal Government; and to educate the public concerning the hazards and sources of lead-based paint poisoning and steps to reduce and eliminate such hazards.
42 U.S.C. § 4851a establishes the overarching goals of federal law governing lead-based paint in housing, including building a national strategy to eliminate lead-based paint hazards, integrating hazard awareness into housing policy, and educating the public about risks and remedies. The provision frames the entire chapter's intent: to shift from confusion about standards toward a clear, coordinated framework for evaluating and reducing hazards across the nation's housing stock. It applies broadly to privately owned, federally assisted, and government-transferred housing alike.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 42 U.S.C. § 4851a, the federal framework that governs lead-based paint hazards is built around evaluation, reduction, and disclosure — meaning compliant property owners and managers generally stay informed about lead hazard assessment requirements and integrate those considerations into sale, rental, and renovation activities. Because this provision signals that lead hazard status must factor into housing transactions, operators typically maintain records of any lead inspections or risk assessments conducted on their properties. Familiarity with the purposes stated in § 4851a helps contextualize the more specific obligations found elsewhere in the chapter.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
42 U.S.C. § 4851a reflects Congress's intent that lead-based paint hazards be taken seriously in the rental and sale of homes, and that the public be educated about those hazards — which can be relevant context when a tenant believes a landlord has failed to disclose or address lead paint concerns. Tenants in federally assisted housing may have additional protections under related provisions of this chapter, and tenant-rights organizations can help identify applicable local or federal complaint processes. Reviewing the broader chapter alongside § 4851a can clarify what specific rights and remedies may be available.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 3, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
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