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Advocates urge Senate to restore lead-abatement funding cut in House version of HB 96
Summary
The Ohio Healthy Homes Network and coalition partners told senators that cuts to lead hazard control and testing programs would halt local testing and abatement work in a state with high child lead exposure rates.
Fred Strayhorn of the Ohio Healthy Homes Network and coalition partners urged the Senate to restore funding for lead hazard control and lead-safe home grants that the House version of HB 96 reduced or eliminated.
The testimony: Strayhorn said Ohio ranks second worst in the nation for children testing positive for elevated blood lead levels and that two-thirds of Ohio housing may contain lead paint. He testified that the House version eliminated funding in lead abatement line item 440,527 and significantly reduced funding for the Lead Safe Home Fund (line item 44,053), and that without restored funding the Ohio Department of Health and Department of Development could not continue testing, lead investigations, intervention services, local program support and hazard control.
Why it matters: Witnesses emphasized that lead exposure is irreversible and that most brain development occurs by age 6; they said funding prevents developmental harms and saves downstream costs in education and health.
What advocates asked: Restore governor-proposed funding levels for lead abatement and Lead Safe Home Fund so local communities can continue testing and abatement activities in homes with young children.
Ending: No vote or committee action was recorded; advocates said the cuts would reduce the ability of state agencies and local partners to protect children and urged restoration in Senate negotiations.
