Philadelphia City Council Approves Lead Paint Monitoring Measure
By Mike Dunn
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia City Council today wrapped up its 2011 legislative year by passing dozens of bills, including one that clamps down on landlords whose rental properties might have lead paint contamination.
Passage of the lead paint bill comes after city councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, the sponsor, spent several years working both with landlords and child advocates.
"After 36 months of work, and 18 months of sitting around a table with all stakeholders, we have reached what I consider to be a delicate compromise," she said today.
Brown's plan, approved 16-1, would force landlords to conduct lead paint testing each time new tenants move in. Key to the compromise is that the new requirements apply only to landlords who rent to families with children age six and under.
Brown says further monitoring is needed to make sure there isn't an unintended consequence of such families being denied rentals:
"That is a concern that we have."
Mayor Nutter was expected to sign the measure.
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