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Bill

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Bill

A 2938

Requires landlords of certain properties providing child care services who refuse lead service line replacements to install and maintain water filters.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Reginald Atkins and 7 co-sponsors

New Jersey bill requiring landlords of child care facilities refusing lead pipe replacement to install and maintain water filters instead, addressing lead exposure risks for young children.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee
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Bill Summary · A 2938

Legislative bill overview

Bill A 2938 targets landlords who operate child care facilities and refuse to replace lead service lines by requiring them to install and maintain water filters as an alternative remediation measure. The bill appears designed to protect children in child care settings from lead exposure when landlords are unwilling or unable to perform full lead service line replacements.

Why is this important

Lead in drinking water poses serious health risks to children, particularly those under six, affecting cognitive development and causing other neurological damage. This bill addresses a practical compliance gap: while lead service line replacement is the gold standard solution, it's expensive and disruptive; this legislation creates an enforceable middle-ground requirement to reduce risk when replacements don't occur.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost burden on small operators: Requiring filters and ongoing maintenance adds operational costs to child care providers and landlords; unclear who bears these expenses or if assistance programs exist
  • Effectiveness question: Water filters are a temporary mitigation, not a permanent solution like pipe replacement; concerns about filter maintenance compliance, replacement schedules, and actual contamination reduction
  • Definitional scope: "Certain properties" is vague—unclear which child care facilities are covered (licensed only? all sizes? public and private?) and what triggers the filter requirement versus replacement obligations
  • Enforcement mechanism: No clear details on how compliance will be monitored, who inspects filters, or what penalties apply for non-compliance

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

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