42 U.S.C. § 4855
Federal implementation and insurance study (THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE (42 U.S.C.))
Operative Text
The Comptroller General of the United States shall assess the effectiveness of Federal enforcement and compliance with lead safety laws and regulations, including any changes needed in annual inspection procedures to identify lead-based paint hazards in units receiving assistance under subsections (b) and () of . o The Comptroller General of the United States shall assess the availability of liability insurance for owners of residential housing that contains lead-based paint and persons engaged in lead-based paint hazard evaluation and reduction activities. In carrying out the assessment, the Comptroller General shall— analyze any precedents in the insurance industry for the containment and abatement of environmental hazards, such as asbestos, in federally assisted housing; provide an assessment of the recent insurance experience in the public housing lead hazard identification and reduction program; and recommend measures for increasing the availability of liability insurance to owners and contractors engaged in federally supported work.
Under 42 U.S.C. § 4855, the Comptroller General of the United States is directed to conduct two related assessments concerning lead-based paint in federally assisted housing. The first examines how effectively federal agencies are enforcing and complying with lead safety laws, including whether annual inspection procedures adequately identify lead-based paint hazards. The second focuses on the availability of liability insurance for residential property owners and contractors involved in lead hazard evaluation and reduction, drawing on precedents from other environmental hazard contexts like asbestos and recommending ways to expand insurance access.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Owners of federally assisted housing should be aware that 42 U.S.C. § 4855 established a government-level review of both enforcement practices and insurance market conditions affecting their sector. Operators who stay current with federal lead safety compliance requirements—including inspection procedures for assisted units—are generally better positioned when federal oversight activities occur. The provision's insurance availability assessment is particularly relevant to owners and contractors engaged in federally supported lead hazard work, as its recommendations were intended to inform broader access to liability coverage in this area.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
42 U.S.C. § 4855 reflects a federal commitment to evaluating whether lead safety laws are being effectively enforced in assisted housing, which is directly relevant to tenants living in units receiving federal assistance. Tenants who believe lead hazard inspections in their federally assisted unit have been inadequate may find it useful to reference this provision when raising concerns with a local housing authority, a HUD field office, or a tenant-rights organization. Understanding that Congress directed a formal review of enforcement gaps under § 4855 can help tenants contextualize their rights and identify appropriate channels for reporting potential compliance failures.
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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