Bill Would Require Bonds, Insurance for Lead‑Abatement Contractors to Protect Families

Summary

SB203 would let the Maryland Department of the Environment require performance bonds or liability insurance for accredited lead‑abatement contractors after cases of falsified inspections and failing abatement left families exposed; advocates said bonding of at least $50,000 would match civil penalties and provide recourse.

Supporters of SB203 told the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee that requiring performance bonds or liability insurance for accredited lead‑abatement professionals would protect families and property owners when contractors fail to complete or properly certify remediation.

Secretary Serena McElwain framed the bill as filling regulatory gaps in lead abatement, and Ruth Ann Norton (Green & Healthy Homes Initiative) said recent abuses — including inspectors who issued falsified certificates affecting an estimated 1,400 households — show the need for financial guarantees. Norton described the bill’s proposed bond minimum (tied to the civil penalty cap) as a practical way for families and owners to obtain remediation and for the state to deter bad actors.

Committee members praised the public‑health focus and asked technical questions about amounts, accreditation, and how bonding would be administered; proponents described the bill as an equity measure to protect low‑income families who face disproportionate lead exposure risks. The committee closed testimony without a vote; sponsors asked for a favorable report.