Lead-Safe Housing for Kids Act of 2026
Requires lead-hazard assessments and timely repairs in covered housing for families with children under 6, and allows emergency relocation when hazards remain uncontrolled.
In the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee since Sept. 22, 2026, 16 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROSEP 22, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- SENATESENATE—
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Lead-based paint hazards in housing can put young children at risk. The bill would require lead-risk assessments in certain federally connected homes where a family with a child under 6 will live. Owners would have to address identified hazards within 30 days, and families could move on an emergency basis if hazards were not controlled as required.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Expand covered housing
The requirements would cover housing connected to mortgage insurance or federal housing assistance, including tenant-based rental assistance, and housing receiving more than $5,000 in project-based federal assistance. The rules would apply when a family with a child under 6 will or is expected to live there.
- Require lead-hazard assessments
Owners would have to arrange an initial risk assessment in covered housing where a family with a child under 6 will live. A visual check alone would not count; exceptions would include certain recent assessments, homes with no lead paint, or a hazard-free replacement unit in the same housing.
- Control hazards and notify residents
If an assessment identifies lead-based paint hazards, owners would have to control them and obtain required clearance within 30 days, with no extension. They would also have to notify affected residents and post notice in common areas, using accessible and alternative formats.
- Allow emergency relocation
A family with a child under 6 could relocate on an emergency basis if hazards were identified but not controlled as required. The family could move without a waitlist, penalty or lapse in assistance to housing built in 1978 or later, or to covered housing without lead hazards.
The practical stake is whether families with young children in federally connected housing can learn about lead hazards and have them addressed, or move if they are not controlled. The bill sets deadlines for assessment and hazard control and provides a route to other qualifying housing when required protections have not been met.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedSEP 22, 2026SENATESEP 22, 2026By Sen. Durbin with 1 original cosponsorReferred to Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
- SAME DAYNOWSenate committeeSEP 22, 2026BANKING, HOUSING, & URBAN AFFAIRS NOWSEP 22, 2026In committee for 16 daysNo hearing yet
- 16 DAYS SO FARPassed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- House committee—HOUSE—
- Passed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- SEP 222026SEP 22, 2026REFERREDRead twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- SEP 222026SEP 22, 2026INTRODUCEDSENATEIntroduced in Senate
At day 16, this bill is already older than 5% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
Support from one state
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Sen. Durbin’s record: sponsored 139 bills this Congress. 10 passed the Senate; 0 became law.
- Todd YoungR-INORIGINAL
What readers think
Discussion
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