R.I. LEAD DEADLINE A WORRY:

New lead paint rules requiring landlords to clean up rental spaces or face fines go into effect in Rhode Island in July, but it’s unclear whether property owners will meet the deadline when the new rules are causing them some confusion. The legislation, passed nearly two years ago, requires landlords to take lead-poisoning training courses, get their buildings inspected and, in some cases, deal with insurance companies on policy renewals. The new rules also take away the so-called “innocent owner status” that protected landlords from lawsuits over lead poisonings. The greatest impact will be on the estimated 145,000 apartments and housing units built before 1978, when lead-based paints were commonly used. The legislation is causing confusion among landlords because so little is known about them, The Providence Journal reported. Because no extra funds were provided with the new law, a handful of state workers and child advocates have been writing regulations, creating lead-training curriculums, drafting brochures and designing publicity campaigns. The results of all that work will start becoming public in the next few weeks. “The fact is we’re not ready for prime time,” says Monica Staaf, legal counsel for the Rhode Island Association of Realtors. “The state Housing Resource Commission has worked tirelessly on a shoestring budget. But the fact remains there is just one person working on this. The lead law itself is the state’s best-kept secret. And I’m not aware of any public outreach.” Staaf says it’s not realistic to assume that the state’s tens of thousands of landlords can be trained on lead-paint safety in the next two months. Also, landlords have to get their properties inspected, and there are only 63 certified inspectors in the entire state. State Rep. Joseph A. Trillo (R-Warwick) said insurance companies have told him they will pull out of Rhode Island, and the impact will be greatest on those owning older houses. State officials say they’re doing the best they can, and they think various agencies and business groups will pull together to get the job done. Paula Pallozzi, who regulates the insurance industry at the state Department of Business Regulation, said she has been issuing bulletins to alleviate concerns by insurers.