N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 130-A: § 130-A:5
Investigations.
Operative Text
I. The commissioner shall investigate cases of lead poisoning in children reported under RSA 141-A whose blood lead level meets or exceeds 5 micrograms per deciliter of whole venous blood. The commissioner may also conduct investigations when there is reason to believe that a lead exposure hazard, as defined in RSA 130-A:1, XVI(b) and (d), for a child exists. Such investigations shall include, but not be limited to: (a) Requiring additional information and periodic reports from the child' s health care provider, the owner or owner's agent of a leased or rented dwelling or dwelling unit occupied by a child, the owner or operator of any child care facility attended by the child, and any lead inspector, lead risk assessor, or lead abatement contractor involved in lead hazard reduction at the child's dwelling, dwelling unit, or child care facility. (b) Inspections of dwellings or dwelling units or of any child care facility, and testing environmental samples. (c) Issuing orders requiring the reduction of lead exposure hazards from a leased or rented dwelling or dwelling unit and from a child care facility, or issuing a notice to the owner of a dwelling or dwelling unit. II. [Repealed.] III. The commissioner may request health authorities to assist in such investigations. IV. The commissioner may obtain an administrative inspection warrant under RSA 595-B if consent of the property owner or the owner's agent for an investigation or inspection is denied.
New Hampshire Revised Statutes § 130-A:5 establishes a framework under which the state health commissioner is required to investigate reported cases of childhood lead poisoning when a child's blood lead level meets or exceeds 5 micrograms per deciliter, and may also investigate when a lead exposure hazard is believed to exist. The investigation process can involve gathering information from health care providers, property owners, child care facility operators, and lead professionals, as well as conducting physical inspections and environmental testing. When a hazard is confirmed, the commissioner has authority to issue orders requiring lead hazard reduction at rental dwellings or child care facilities, and may seek an administrative inspection warrant if a property owner refuses access.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 130-A:5, owners or agents of leased or rented dwellings occupied by a child with an elevated blood lead level may be required to provide information and periodic reports to the commissioner as part of an official investigation. A compliant property owner generally cooperates with inspection requests, responds to information demands in a timely manner, and takes steps to reduce lead exposure hazards when ordered to do so. Owners should be aware that if consent for an inspection is withheld, the commissioner is authorized under § 130-A:5(IV) to obtain an administrative inspection warrant to proceed without that consent.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 130-A:5 gives tenants in rental housing an important layer of protection: when a child in the home has a blood lead level at or above 5 micrograms per deciliter, the state commissioner is obligated to investigate and can order the property owner to reduce lead exposure hazards. Tenants whose children have been diagnosed with elevated blood lead levels may find it useful to understand that this provision also allows the commissioner to inspect the dwelling and collect environmental samples, even over an owner's objection. Tenants seeking to understand their rights under § 130-A:5 may consider reaching out to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services or a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance on how the investigation and enforcement process works.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 20, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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