R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 42-128.1 § 42-128.1-2
Legislative findings
Operative Text
The general assembly finds and declares that: (1) Rhode Island's rental housing stock is older and lead hazards are widespread; (2) There has been an insufficient level of lead hazard abatement in Rhode Island's rental housing stock; (3) Children in Rhode Island, especially in older urban communities, have been victims of lead poisoning at disproportionately high rates; (4) During the 1990's meeting department of health lead hazard abatement standards has ranged between seven thousand dollars ($7,000) and fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) per unit; (5) The combination of the high cost of meeting the abatement standards and the system of incentives available for rental property owners in Rhode Island resulted in few properties being improved to state standards as a consequence of voluntary activity by property owners; and (6) The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has promulgated regulations for lead hazard control that apply to housing that is federally assisted and require inspections with dust testing.
Section 42-128.1-2 of Rhode Island General Laws Chapter 42-128.1 sets out the legislature's formal findings that underpin the state's lead hazard law. The assembly recognized that Rhode Island's older rental housing stock contains widespread lead hazards, that children—particularly in older urban areas—have suffered disproportionately high rates of lead poisoning, and that voluntary abatement efforts by property owners had proven inadequate. The findings also note that abatement costs during the 1990s ranged from $7,000 to $15,000 per unit, and that federal HUD regulations already required lead hazard inspections with dust testing in federally assisted housing.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Section 42-128.1-2 establishes the legislative backdrop that motivates Rhode Island's lead hazard control requirements for rental property owners. Compliant operators generally familiarize themselves with the state's recognition that older rental units carry elevated lead risks and that the prior voluntary system was deemed insufficient—context that shapes the mandatory framework built on top of these findings. Property managers overseeing older rental units, especially in urban communities, typically treat these legislative findings as a signal that regulators and courts will view lead hazard compliance obligations seriously.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 42-128.1-2 reflects the Rhode Island General Assembly's formal acknowledgment that renters—and especially children—in older rental housing have faced serious and disproportionate lead poisoning risks. Tenants living in older rental units may find these legislative findings relevant when understanding why Rhode Island enacted its lead hazard control law and what rights and protections flow from it. Those concerned about lead conditions in their rental home can explore options such as contacting a local tenant-rights organization, reaching out to the Rhode Island Department of Health, or reviewing the broader Chapter 42-128.1 framework to understand available complaint and enforcement paths.
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 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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