SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

1994 SESSION

LD8199693
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 127
Offered January 25, 1994
Continuing the Joint Subcommittee Studying the Abatement of Lead-based Paint.
----------
Patrons--Lambert and Schewel; Delegates: Mayer and Mims
----------
Referred to the Committee on Rules
----------

WHEREAS, during the 1993 Session, Senate Joint Resolution No. 245 was approved, establishing the Joint Subcommittee Studying the Abatement of Lead-based Paint; and

WHEREAS, the Joint Subcommittee has met, considered the issues, developed a preliminary report, and recommended legislation to certify lead contractors and workers; and

WHEREAS, the Joint Subcommittee has learned much about the problems of lead-based paint and lead poisoning in children; and

WHEREAS, the Joint Subcommittee notes that the Centers for Disease Control have reported that an estimated "three million children in the United States have lead concentrations above the danger level of one microgram per deciliter of blood"; and

WHEREAS, ingestion or inhalation of lead can cause severe symptoms, including headaches, anemia, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, loss of weight, vomiting, stupor, convulsions, coma, and even death; and

WHEREAS, the symptoms can be absent even while permanent damage is occurring, unobserved; and

WHEREAS, the tragedy of lead poisoning is that it affects children more frequently than adults, because children habitually put objects in their mouths, and because children grow so quickly that the lead is metabolized or absorbed very fast, with permanent brain damage frequently resulting; and

WHEREAS, the Joint Subcommittee has ascertained that the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development has been assured that a federal grant for lead abatement will be awarded, if the certification statute--a condition for receipt of the funds--can be passed this session; and

WHEREAS, the Joint Subcommittee has realized that the high number of old houses in Virginia will require a long-range strategy for lead abatement and that the costs of such abatement are high; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Joint Subcommittee Studying the Abatement of Lead-based Paint is hereby continued. The members duly appointed to serve pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution No. 245 shall continue to serve, except that any vacancies shall be filled as provided in the enabling resolution.

The Joint Subcommittee is requested to complete the examination of the issues related to lead-based paint abatement and the prevention of lead poisoning and to monitor the implementation of any certification program approved during this session.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $1,100.

The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support for the study. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Joint Subcommittee, upon request.

The Joint Subcommittee shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1995 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for processing legislative documents.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may withhold expenditures or delay the period for the conduct of the study.