Sec. 1. 38 MRSA §1293, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 375, §14, is amended to read:

1. Certification and licensing. The board shall adopt and amend rules necessary to govern the licensing of business or public entities, including, but not limited to, lead abatement contractors, so-called "lead-smart renovators" and in-house lead abatement units, the accreditation of lead training providers and the certification of lead abatement professionals.

Sec. 2. 38 MRSA §1298 is enacted to read:

§1298.__Insurance required

A contractor engaged in any renovation, remodeling, maintenance or repair project involving lead-based paint shall obtain an insurance policy or rider that covers damages resulting from any such renovation, remodeling, maintenance or repair project.

Sec. 3. Training requirements. The Department of Environmental Protection shall increase the training requirements for lead- smart renovators and lead sampling technicians from 6 hours and 8 hours respectively to 14 hours.

SUMMARY

This bill increases the training requirements for lead-smart renovators and lead sampling technicians from 6 hours and 8 hours respectively to 14 hours. The bill also requires that lead-smart renovators be licensed by the Department of Environmental Protection.

The bill also requires a contractor engaged in any renovation, remodeling, maintenance or repair project involving lead-based paint to obtain an insurance policy or rider that covers damages resulting from any such renovation, remodeling, maintenance or repair project.