State and Local Lead Laws

Baltimore regulates lead hazards through the City Health Code, as well as through Lead Hazard Abatement Regulations promulgated by the City Department of Health (DOH). Title 4, Subtitle 6 of the Health Code contains provisions concerning mandated blood lead testing, reporting of blood lead test results, and monitoring of public school drinking water fountains. Title 5, Subtitle 4 of the Health Code controls the labeling and sale of lead-based paint. The DOH Lead Hazard Abatement Regulations set forth standards for investigation and identification of lead hazards, notices of violations, and abatement work procedures.

These municipal lead laws are complementary to provisions in state law, including Title 6, Subtitles 3, 8, 13, and 15 in the Maryland Environment Code. Subtitle 3 prohibits and penalizes the use of lead-based paint, mandates blood lead testing and reporting, and calls for state-assisted case management of children with elevated blood lead levels. Subtitle 8 mandates the registration, disclosure, and reduction of lead risks in all rental properties built before 1978, regardless of renovation history. Subtitle 13 prohibits and penalizes the sale of lead-containing children's products. Subtitle 15 mandates periodic testing for lead in school drinking water outlets.

Exhaustive though these regulations might appear, they are far from fail-safe when it comes to protecting Baltimore children from exposure to lead hazards. A 2015 investigation by the Baltimore Sun found that inadequate enforcement and errors in data collection resulted in significant regulatory deficits and tragic oversights. While Maryland's new clinical testing requirements may help compensate for some of these shortcomings, there is still no better protection than vigilance and advocacy by the parents and guardians of at-risk children.

If you think your young child may have been exposed to lead, please take immediate action to get him or her tested for lead poisoning. If your child has tested positive for lead poisoning, please contact our attorneys by calling us at 1-800-475-2881 or by filling out the form on this website. An experienced lead poisoning attorney can help your child get the compensation he or she needs to overcome the disabilities resulting from exposure to lead. Let us help you determine whether you and your child have a case.