TRENTON, N.J. — Acting Gov. Tahesha Way on Friday signed into law A2929/S1034, legislation requiring landlords to notify tenants about the known or potential presence of lead in drinking water, mandating public water systems to provide lead testing at no cost upon request, and prohibiting landlords from obstructing the replacement of lead pipes.
The measure builds on the state’s 2021 Lead Service Line Replacement Law, which requires public community water systems to replace all lead service lines by 2031.
“With this bill, we’re protecting New Jerseyans in their communities,” said Acting Governor Way. “No child or adult should ever be forced to live with the detrimental and lasting health effects caused by lead poisoning from their homes. Today’s action strengthens tenant protections, removes barriers to lead pipe replacement, and ensures safer homes and healthier communities for generations to come.”
“All New Jersey residents have a right to essential drinking water quality information that could impact their health. With the signing of this bill, current and prospective renters gain added protections which require landlords to disclose information regarding potential exposure to lead in drinking water,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. “DEP remains committed to helping communities identify and remove lead service lines and inform the public about ways to reduce their exposure.”
“It should be a basic right for everyone to live in a home free from lead that can poison people, especially young children. This is why DCA works incredibly hard to abate lead paint hazards from homes and to collaborate with other state agencies on efforts to inform people about potential lead exposure risks in their homes,” said Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “We believe that through effective programs, transparency, and improved public health information about lead, we can help significantly reduce lead poisoning and improve people’s health.”
“There is no safe level of lead, and we know that lead exposure disproportionately affects communities living in older housing. That makes this law’s tenant protections essential for advancing health equity in our state,” said Acting Health Commissioner Jeff Brown. “By ensuring renters have access to critical information about lead risks in their homes and creating meaningful recourse when landlords fall short, this law empowers New Jerseyans to protect their family’s health.”
Lead exposure, especially in children, can cause serious long-term health problems. While the federal government banned the use of lead in service lines in 1986, New Jersey still has more than 135,000 lead service lines and nearly 873,000 of unknown material. The state has replaced 22,007 lead service lines over the past four years.
The law directs the Department of Health, Department of Community Affairs, and Department of Environmental Protection to create and publicly post a notice informing consumers about lead risks and ways to minimize exposure.
“Access to clean water is fundamental, and parents deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing that the water their children drink at home is safe,” said Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin. “The bill signed into law today continues our commitment to public safety, building on earlier lead remediation efforts that required public water systems to begin replacing lead service lines across New Jersey. It will give countless families across New Jersey the protections and information they deserve, strengthen accountability for landlords and water systems, and help ensure future generations can grow up with the confidence that their communities will always have safe, clean drinking water.”
“There is no safe level of lead exposure, especially for infants and children,” said Senate President Nick Scutari. “Long-term exposure can cause physical harm, psychological damage, and behavioral problems that can plague them during their developmental years. I commend Senator Greenstein, Senate Majority Leader Ruiz and the other sponsors for acting to protect the health and safety of tenants by testing their water and informing them of contaminants. Every child deserves clean water and every parent deserves to know their child is not in danger.”
The bill’s sponsors include Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz, Senator Linda Greenstein, Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald, Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli, and Assemblyman Gary Schaer.
