Lead-related bills before state lawmakers this session include:

. Gov. John Baldacci’s bond package, recently approved as part of the biennial budget, which contains $3 million for helping families and landlords reduce exposure to lead paint on their properties. The governor pledged to include funding for lead paint abatement in his budget last October while attending a daylong lead paint forum in Bangor. The governor’s earlier effort to fund lead paint abatement through bonds was rejected in 2003. Some Republican lawmakers feel the new budget relies too heavily on borrowed funds and want to bring it to a popular vote.

. A requirement that “manufacturers and other persons who contribute to environmental and occupational lead hazards” pay into a Lead Poisoning Prevention Fund. Fees might be assessed from manufacturers of paint and petroleum products, batteries, ammunition, building materials, electronics and other products. The fund would be used to attract money for educational outreach to children and adults. LD 1034 is sponsored by Rep. Robert Duplessis, D-Westbrook. A public hearing is scheduled before the Health and Human Services Committee on Tuesday, April 26.

. A requirement to register all contractors who build or renovate residential dwellings. Supporters of the measure, sponsored by Rep. Troy Jackson, D-Fort Kent, say this is an essential first step in ensuring that contractors can identify and protect themselves, their workers, their families and their clients against lead paint hazards when they’re remodeling or renovating older structures. The proposal, LD 1306, has been heard before the Business, Research and Economic Development Committee and is making its way in amended form to the House and Senate.

. A measure to hold landlords legally and financially liable for all damages to any child under age 6 who is determined to have been poisoned by exposure to lead paint in rented housing. The proposal also would prohibit landlords from discriminating against families with small children on the grounds that a rental property is unsafe because of the presence of lead paint. It would require landlords to reimburse the state’s Department of Health and Human Services for the cost of an inspection if a lead hazard is found. Finally, the measure would require the state to develop a form that clearly explains the hazards of lead paint to any renter or purchaser of housing built before 1978. Federal law already requires such a disclosure, but lead paint activists say real estate agents and sellers often brush aside the fine-print warning. LD 1532, sponsored by Rep. Sean Faircloth, D-Bangor, is scheduled for a public hearing Thursday, April 28, before the Judiciary Committee.