§ 42-128.1-12. Independent evaluation.
In order to assure the effectiveness of the lead hazard awareness mitigation program
established by this chapter and to recommend any changes, which may be necessary to
appropriate, the auditor general shall:
(1)(i) Conduct a performance audit for the period ending December 31, 2003, of the duties
and responsibilities assigned to the state agencies and to political subdivisions
by this chapter and by the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act, chapter 24.6 of title 23, and of the effectiveness of this chapter in meeting its purposes. The auditor general
may contract with independent firms and organizations with expertise in lead poisoning
prevention and lead hazard mitigation to assist with the evaluation of matters set
forth in this subsection.
(ii) The auditor general's report shall be submitted to the governor, the speaker of the
house, the president of the senate, the chairperson of the housing resources commission,
and the director of health, on or before March 31, 2005, and shall contain, as appropriate,
recommendations: (A) to make the programs established by this chapter and by the Lead
Poisoning Prevention Act more effective in achieving their respective purposes; and
(B) to address any unreasonable hardships caused by this chapter or likely to be caused
by this chapter with its full implementation July 1, 2005.
(iii) The performance audit required by this subsection shall, in addition to the examination
of effectiveness of administration and the efficiency and adequacy of state agencies
and political subdivisions in the performance of their duties under this chapter and
the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act, include consideration of the following matters:
(A) The number and type and date of public service announcements required by § 42-128.1-6(b);
(B) The availability and distribution of education materials specified by § 42-128.1-6(c)(i);
(C) The number, date, and location of lead hazard awareness seminars and the number of
persons who have participated in those seminars;
(D) The number of "mitigation inspectors,� average length of time necessary to conduct
the inspections, the cost of meeting standards per inspection, and the availability
of inspectors to conduct the inspections, at a reasonable cost needed in the various
geographic areas of the state;
(E) The availability of programs to assist property owners, especially low and moderate
income property owners;
(2) Conduct a performance audit for the period ending June 30, 2007, of the duties and
responsibilities, as assigned by this chapter, to state agencies and political subdivisions
and of the effectiveness of this chapter in meeting its purposes, especially with
regard to increasing the supply of housing in which lead hazards have been mitigated
and in reducing the incidence and severity of lead poisoning in Rhode Island. The
auditor general may contract with independent firms and organizations with expertise
in lead poisoning prevention and lead hazard mitigation to assist with the evaluation
of matters set forth in this chapter. The auditor general's report shall be submitted
to the governor, the speaker of the house, the president of the senate, the chairperson
of the housing resources commission, and the director of health, on or before January
1, 2008, and shall contain, as appropriate, recommendations: (i) to make the programs
established by this chapter more effective in achieving the respective purposes; and
(ii) to redress any unreasonable hardships caused by this chapter or likely to be
caused by this chapter.