An Act To Support Lead Abatement in Older Residential Properties
Sec. 1. 30-A MRSA c. 201, sub-c. 12-A is enacted to read:
SUBCHAPTER 12-A
LEAD ABATEMENT
§ 4981. Lead abatement program
(1) Housing units or housing projects occupied by residents with incomes up to 100% of the area median income as established by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, whether the housing is owned by an individual or a for-profit or nonprofit entity, are eligible;
(2) Annual rent for a housing unit or housing project receiving project funds may not exceed 30% of the area median income as established by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for 4 years after completion of the abatement work;
(3) Housing that serves as a child care location for children under 6 years of age is eligible; and
(4) An owner of housing is eligible as long as the owner is not in arrears on any property taxes owed for that housing and has not been cited for more than 4 violations of a building code or safety code on that housing within the prior 2 years.
The Maine State Housing Authority shall adopt the eligibility standards pursuant to this paragraph by routine technical rule as described in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
(1) At least 20% of the costs of abatement; or
(2) At least 40% of the costs of abatement if a child who is a resident of the housing has been determined to have lead poisoning, as defined in Title 22, section 1315, subsection 5-C.
Priority for program funds must be given to abatement projects for housing in which a child who has been determined to have lead poisoning, as defined in Title 22, section 1315, subsection 5-C, resides.
Sec. 2. 36 MRSA §4641-A, sub-§3 is enacted to read:
Sec. 3. 36 MRSA §4641-B, sub-§4-B, ¶H is enacted to read:
summary
This bill establishes a residential housing lead abatement program, administered by the Maine State Housing Authority. The purpose of the program is to provide grants to municipalities that have administered a lead abatement program and to housing units and housing projects that meet specified eligibility standards. Priority for lead abatement projects funded by the program is given to residences occupied by children who have tested positive for lead poisoning.
The program is funded by a real estate transfer tax surtax of $0.30 per $500 of the value of property transferred by deed or property in which a controlling interest is transferred.