R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 42-128.1 § 42-128.1-6

(a) In order to achieve the purposes of this chapter, a statewide, multifaceted, ongoing
educational program designed to meet the needs of tenants, property owners, realtors
and real estate agents, insurers and insurance agents, local building officials, and
health providers and caregivers is hereby established.


(b) The governor, in conjunction with the department of health, shall sponsor a series
of public service announcements on radio, television, and print media about the nature
of lead hazards, the importance of lead hazard control and mitigation, and the purposes
and responsibilities set forth in this chapter. In developing and coordinating this
public information initiative the sponsors shall seek the participation and involvement
of private industry organizations, including those involved in real estate, insurance,
mortgage banking, and pediatrics.


(c) The department of health shall:


(1) Create culturally and linguistically appropriate material outlining the rights and
responsibilities of parties affected by this chapter;


(2) Establish guidelines and a trainer's manual for a not more than three (3) hours lead
hazard control awareness seminar for rental property owners or designated persons,
which shall be forwarded to all public and private colleges and universities in Rhode
Island, to other professional training facilities, and to professional associations
and community organizations with a training capacity, with the stipulation this seminar
be offered for a maximum fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) per participant. The department
of health shall approve the proposals to offer the seminar from institutions, provided
those proposals are consistent with the guidelines. An electronic version of this
awareness seminar shall be created and approved by the department of health for computer
internet access. Said awareness seminar shall also be produced and made available
in both VHS and DVD format for rental or purchase at a reasonable cost not to exceed
five dollars ($5.00) for the rental version and fifteen dollars ($15.00) for the purchased
version. Said seminar shall be available to tenants, property owners, and other interested
parties.


(3) Adopt rules for the dissemination of information about the requirements of this chapter
to all prospective owners of pre-1978 dwellings during the real estate transaction,
settlement, or closing;


(4) Solicit requests, to the extent that these partnerships are not already established,
to enter into ongoing, funded partnerships, to provide specific counseling information
services to tenants and affected parties on their rights and responsibilities with
regard to lead hazards and lead poisoning.


(d) The department of business regulation shall, with regard to its responsibilities for
the profession of real estate brokers and salespersons, adopt rules, with the concurrence
of the department of health which shall be effective not later than June 30, 2004:
(1) Requiring proof of reasonable familiarity with the knowledge of duties and responsibilities
under the provisions of the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act, chapter 24.6 of title 23, and this chapter, for the licensure or renewal of licenses of real estate brokers
and salespersons in accordance with § 5-20.5-6 after July 1, 2004; and (2) Providing, pursuant to § 5-20.5-18, an educational program for real estate brokers and salespersons regarding such duties
and responsibilities.


(e) The department of health is hereby authorized to develop, offer, engage in, contract
for, and/or provide any other educational or informational programs that they may
deem necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter, including, but not limited
to: programs to assist families to find housing that is lead free, lead safe, or lead
hazard mitigated or abated; and to train lead hazard mitigation inspectors and local
building officials and persons engaged in renovating and/or improving housing about
controlling or mitigating lead hazards in pre-1978 housing. Said programs shall provide
information about lead hazard mitigation requirements at retail hardware and paint
stores and home-improvement centers, including, as a minimum, signs of sufficient
size with large enough lettering to be easily seen and read, which contains the following
language:



WARNINGUse of abrasive material (sandpaper, steel wool, drill disks and pads, etc.) in your
home to remove paint may increase the risk of childhood lead poisoning. For more information
please contact the Rhode Island department of health.