SB143 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Lead reduction, revise authority of Dept of Public Health to administer program, Secs. 22-37A-2 to 22-37A-7, inclusive, am'd.

Summary

SB143 tightens lead hazard rules in Alabama by expanding the State Board of Health’s enforcement, creating a formal certification system for workers, and increasing penalties, while clarifying local funding implications.

What This Bill Does

The bill revises lead hazard reduction laws to give the State Board of Health broader authority to inspect, enforce, and set standards for lead work. It designates Safe State as the state accrediting body for training and creates a registry of accredited individuals. It requires workers performing lead hazard reduction to be certified, establishes fees, enables civil penalties for violations (with escalating amounts), and directs penalties and certain costs to the Lead Reduction Fund. It also notes the bill is exempt from local-funding approval requirements under Amendment 621 because it creates a new crime or amends crime definitions, and it becomes effective after a set period following passage.

Who It Affects

• Contractors and workers performing lead hazard reduction who must obtain board certification, Safe State accreditation, and follow established standards and training (with potential penalties for noncompliance).
• Property owners, occupants of target housing and public buildings, and local governments who will rely on certified professionals for lead work and may face costs or penalties if regulations are not followed (funding flows to the Lead Reduction Fund).

Key Provisions

• Amends Sections 22-37A-2 to 22-37A-7 to expand lead hazard reduction regulation, inspections, enforcement, and penalties.
• Creates detailed definitions (e.g., abatement, accredited individual, lead hazard reduction activities, target housing) to standardize procedures.
• Designates Safe State as the state accreditation agency for lead training and requires a state registry of accredited individuals; subjects individuals to certification and registration before performing lead work; permits reciprocity with other states.
• _authorizes the Board of Health to certify contractors, set standards, enforce rules, educate owners/occupants, enter contracts, and establish a fee schedule for inspections and services.
• Requires certification and training for individuals performing lead hazard reduction; allows exemptions for homeowners performing minor or own-property work.
• Imposes civil penalties for violations, with a tiered schedule (up to $250/day first, up to $500/day second, up to $2,500/day third or more) and allows mandatory training in lieu of penalties; penalties go to the Lead Reduction Fund; board may seek injunctive relief and pursue criminal penalties.
• Leads to the Lead Reduction Fund for handling collected penalties and fees; board must budget expenditures accordingly.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval; local-funding requirements under Amendment 621 are avoided because the bill creates or amends a crime/definitions.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Lead Reduction