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HB 5375

Employment security: administration; assessment of penalties, interest, or fees on certain unpaid restitution of benefit overpayments; prohibit. Amends sec. 15 of 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1 (MCL 421.15).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Greg Alexander and 21 co-sponsors

Rhode Island expands lead service line inventories, requires public posting and replacement of public/private lines, and funds private-side replacements with state/federal support.

bill electronically reproduced 12/16/2025
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Bill Summary · HB 5375

Summary — HB 5375: Lead Poisoning Prevention Act (Amendment to § 23-24.6-28)

Status: Committee recommended measure be held for further study (04/22/2025)
Introduced: Filed 03/14/2025 (bill text indicates a Feb. 7, 2025 introducer date)
Primary sponsors: Reps. Morales, Handy, Cruz, Furtado, Slater, Kislak, Giraldo, Carson, Ajello, Bennett

Purpose / Intent

The bill strengthens Rhode Island’s existing Lead Poisoning Prevention Act by expanding requirements and procedures for identifying, reporting, mitigating, and replacing lead service lines (LSLs) in public water systems and the private side of service connections. It aligns state practice with federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements and IIJA funding requirements.

Key provisions and changes

  • Inventory requirement: Water suppliers must develop a service line inventory (deadline listed as October 16, 2024) classifying each service line as lead, non-lead, or unknown, and must include private-side replacements since Jan 1, 2018. Transient non-community systems are exempt.
  • Public posting & transparency:
    • Inventories are to be provided to the state “department” and the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank (RIIB).
    • Inventories must be posted on the department’s and suppliers’ websites (or a publicly accessible location where no website exists).
    • The department must create a public dashboard and maintain an online map of service line locations/materials to satisfy 40 C.F.R. §141.84(a)(8).
    • The department will define “disadvantaged communities” consistent with federal guidance.
  • Inventory methods: Visual inspections during maintenance, customer input, historical records, AWWA resources, and other appropriate methods (including 40 C.F.R. §141.84(a)(3)) may be used.
  • Notification & mitigation: Within 30 days of identifying an LSL (or unknown), water suppliers must provide multilingual written notice to property owners, tenants, and the director describing lead sources, health effects, mitigation steps, and replacement scheduling contact info. Mitigation must include providing a certified point-of-use filter pitcher, instructions, and six months of replacement cartridges.
  • Inspection & replacement responsibilities:
    • Water suppliers must inspect private-side service lines at no cost to property owners for properties with an LSL or unknown status.
    • If lead is found on the private side, the private side must be replaced consistent with federal and state rules.
    • Where public-side lead is present, the supplier must replace the entire service line (public + private) with only minor service disruption unless there is an emergency or written objections from all served persons. Transient non-community systems are exempt from replacements.
  • Refusal reporting: If a property owner refuses inspection/replacement, the supplier must document attempts and file notice with the department after the second refusal. The address of the refusal must be published on the department website; notices must be multilingual.
  • Funding and coordination:
    • The department and RIIB will coordinate with suppliers on replacement programs and assist with financial assistance where funds are available.
    • RIIB is authorized to use IIJA Section 50105 federal funds (for reducing lead in drinking water) to cover eligible private-side replacement costs.
    • If federal funds are insufficient, RIIB may request state appropriations across one or more fiscal years to cover outstanding private-side replacement costs.

Who is affected

  • Public water suppliers operating in Rhode Island (excluding transient non-community systems for certain provisions)
  • Property owners and tenants served by systems with lead or unknown service line status
  • Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank and the (state) department responsible for public health/water oversight
  • Communities with concentrations of lead service lines; disadvantaged communities as defined by federal guidance

Procedural / timeline notes

  • The bill amends R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-24.6-28 and references federal regulatory requirements (EPA Lead and Copper Rule Improvements; 40 C.F.R. §141.84).
  • Inventories deadline is specified as Oct. 16, 2024 (a retroactive date relative to the bill’s filing).
  • Current legislative status: recommended to be held for further study by committee on 04/22/2025.

Note: The bill text provided is truncated near the end of §23-24.6-28; this summary covers provisions appearing in the supplied excerpt.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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