An Act To Reduce Lung Cancer Rates in Maine
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 14 MRSA §6030-D is enacted to read:
§ 6030-D. Radon testing
1. Testing. Every 5 years a landlord or other lessor of a residential building shall test the air of the residential building for radon. If a residential building required to be tested for radon under this subsection is not connected to a public water system, the landlord or lessor of the residential building must test the air and the water of the residential building for radon.
2. Notification. If a test conducted under subsection 1 reveals a level of radon hazardous to human health, the landlord or lessor of the residential building shall give notice to every residence in the residential building of the presence of and risk associated with radon gas. Notice under this subsection must be given by posting a sign on the residential building's exterior doors and sent by certified mail to every unit in the residential building. A sign placed on an exterior entry door of a residential building under this subsection must remain until the level of radon in the residential building is reduced to a level not hazardous to human health under subsection 3.
3. Mitigation. A landlord or other lessor of a residential building that is subject to a test that reveals a level of radon hazardous to human health must immediately mitigate the level of radon in the residential building until it is reduced to a level not hazardous to human health.
4. Penalty. A person who violates this section commits a civil violation for which a fine of up to $500 per violation may be assessed. This section is enforceable in either District Court or Superior Court.
summary
This bill requires a landlord or lessor of a residential building to test the residential building for radon every 5 years. If an unhealthy level of radon is detected, the landlord or lessor must notify the residents by posting a sign on the exterior entry doors of the residential building and sending certified letters to every unit and must mitigate the radon gas until it is reduced to a level not hazardous to human health. A violation is subject to a fine of up to $500.