Maine § 1322-E. - Lead Poisoning Prevention Fund

§ 1322-E.. Lead Poisoning Prevention Fund

1.  Fund established.  The Lead Poisoning Prevention Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund," is established within the department as a nonlapsing fund for the purposes specified in this section.

2.  Sources of fund.  The fund is funded from all fees collected under section 1322‑F and from other funds accepted by the commissioner or allocated or appropriated by the Legislature.

3.  Prevention purposes.  Allocations from the fund must be made for the following purposes:

A. Contracts for funding community and worker educational outreach programs to enable the public to identify lead hazards and take precautionary actions to prevent exposure to lead;   [PL 2005, c. 403, §1 (NEW).]

B. An ongoing major media campaign to fulfill the purposes of the educational and publicity program required by section 1317‑B;   [PL 2005, c. 403, §1 (NEW).]

C. Measures to prevent children's exposure to lead, including targeted educational mailings to families with children that occupy dwellings built prior to 1978 with culturally appropriate information on the health hazards of lead, the identification of lead sources, actions to take to prevent lead exposure and the importance of screening children for lead poisoning;   [PL 2005, c. 403, §1 (NEW).]

D. Measures to prevent occupational exposures to lead for private and public employees;   [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. UU, §3 (AMD).]

E. Funding an assessment of current uses of lead and the availability, effectiveness and affordability of lead-free alternatives;   [PL 2007, c. 628, Pt. A, §3 (AMD).]

F. Funding for educational programs and information for owners of rental property used for residential purposes;   [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. RR, §1 (AMD).]

G. Implementation of the lead-safe housing registry by the department pursuant to section 1331; and   [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. RR, §2 (AMD).]

H. Funding for childhood lead poisoning prevention efforts, including, but not limited to, funding for state personnel and contracted resources dedicated to reducing lead hazard exposures and preventing harm from lead poisoning; blood lead testing and laboratory analysis; short-term relocation of families with a lead-poisoned child to a lead-safe residence; and other related costs.   [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. RR, §3 (NEW).]

4.  Administration.  The Bureau of Health shall administer the fund allocations with the review and advice of an advisory board established by the department pursuant to section 1323. Preference must be given to programs that reach high-risk or underserved populations. The bureau may contract for professional services to carry out the purposes of this section.