2005 Vermont Code - § 1757. — Lead poisoned children

§ 1757. Lead poisoned children

(a) Upon receiving a report that a child under age six has been diagnosed by a qualified physician to have lead poisoning, the commissioner shall take prompt action to confirm the diagnosis.

(b) If the child is severely lead poisoned, the commissioner shall provide for inspection of the dwelling unit occupied by the child or the child care center the child attends, by a state inspector or licensed private inspector. The commissioner may inspect and evaluate other dwelling units in a building in which a severely lead-poisoned child has been identified as living and it is reasonable to believe that a child under the age of six occupies, receives care or otherwise regularly frequents other dwelling units in that building.

(c) The commissioner shall work with the parents, owner, physician, and others involved with the child to develop a plan to minimize exposure of the child to lead hazards.

(d) Concerning target housing which is rented or leased, on or before January 1, 1994, the secretary with the concurrence of the commissioner of housing and community affairs shall adopt rules to implement this section including rules which assure that prompt action will be taken to confirm a lead poisoning diagnosis, to inspect the possible sources of lead poisoning, and to secure voluntary compliance or to take necessary enforcement action. Enforcement action shall include providing the child's parents or guardians and the owner of the dwelling unit with appropriate educational materials on lead poisoning prevention and may include requiring the owner of the dwelling unit to initiate interim controls or abatement of lead-based paint hazards within a specified time.

(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the commissioner's authority under any other provision of Vermont law. (Added 1993, No. 94, § 3; amended 1995, No. 165 (Adj. Sess.), § 4.)