The New York State Department of Health has launched a new childhood lead poisoning prevention program, introducing the Lead Rental Registry data system known as Lead Safe NY. This initiative is part of Governor Kathy Hochul’s plan to eliminate lead exposure in the state, focusing on 25 communities with high levels of childhood lead poisoning.
Local health departments are currently reaching out to property owners, instructing them on how to enter their information into the registry. The program targets rental housing built before 1980, which remains the primary source of lead exposure for children due to deteriorating lead-based paint.
“Governor Hochul’s commitment to protecting the safety and wellbeing of New York State’s children is fully represented in this nation-leading Lead Rental Registry program,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. “Lead exposure can cause brain damage, permanent injury and life-long disabilities. The Lead Rental Registry is the Department’s largest undertaking in addressing childhood lead poisoning since the launch of our Childhood Lead Poisoning Primary Prevention Program. It moves the needle from reactive lead poisoning intervention to proactively addressing lead hazards in rental homes before a child is lead poisoned.”
The law establishing the registry took effect on November 3, 2025, with revised regulations now published. Local health departments are working with landlords, tenants, and municipalities ahead of full implementation in 2026.
Property owners in designated communities must verify and provide information about their rental properties using Lead Safe NY. They are also encouraged to inform tenants about the program through official fact sheets.
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas stated: “All New Yorkers deserve homes that are safe and habitable, especially for children. Combined with our investment to assist landlords in addressing lead hazards, this Lead Rental Registry Program will help reduce lead exposure among children and give families peace-of-mind. We are thankful to Governor Hochul for her tireless commitment to helping New Yorkers thrive, as well as to our partners at the Department of Health.”
Dru Rai, Chief Information Officer and Director of the Office of Information Technology Services (ITS), added: “The Office of Information Technology Services is pleased and proud to have played a key role in creation of the data and reporting system that will keep New Yorkers and their families safe from the harmful effects of lead. I applaud the leadership of Governor Hochul and Dr. McDonald on this important health and safety issue and commend the hardworking members of the ITS Dedicated Team for Health for turning concept into reality, and for showing once again that the partnership between DOH and ITS is working for New York.”
While progress has been made removing other sources of environmental lead such as gasoline or pipes used for drinking water, old paint remains a significant risk factor for young children living in older buildings.
Under this new law—covering residential rentals built before 1980 with two or more units—properties must be inspected every three years starting in 2026. Only those documented as free from hazardous levels will receive a Lead Safety Certificate; prompt cleanup is required when issues are found.
Communities included under Public Health Law §1377 comprise Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers among others outside New York City—areas identified by high rates both of elevated blood-lead levels among children and pre-1980 housing stock. Owners must comply even if one unit is owner-occupied.
To support compliance efforts by landlords—including training requirements around EPA certification—the state has awarded nearly $16 million across 20 local health departments to build capacity within these counties.
Additionally, $40 million has already been distributed via grants from Homes & Community Renewal toward remediation work; another $20 million remains available through capital budget allocations spanning fiscal years 2024–2026.
Contractors working on affected properties must be federally certified when disturbing painted surfaces; training opportunities can be accessed through local health agencies or by visiting the department’s website.
For further details about statewide efforts against childhood lead poisoning visit the official site.
