A new law aimed at protecting renters from the dangers of lead in drinking water was signed today by Acting Governor Tahesha Way.

The legislation, sponsored by Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-Passaic), requires landlords to notify tenants of potential lead hazards and prevents them from obstructing the replacement of lead service lines.

The legislation passed both houses of the Legislature on June 30 and represents a significant step forward in New Jersey’s efforts to eliminate lead contamination from its drinking water systems.

Under the new law, tenants will also be able to request lead testing directly from their water utility companies, ensuring greater transparency and access to information.

“Lead contamination is prevalent in all regions across the state, and it is crucial that we protect the health of our New Jersey families,” Schaer said in a statement. “Some of the oldest residential structures in New Jersey are in our urban communities, like Passaic, which are disproportionately impacted by lead contamination in water service lines. This bill will empower renters and provide them with the tools to combat lead exposure.”

According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), there are currently more than 100,000 known lead service lines statewide. The NJDEP estimates that more than 800,000 additional service lines are made of unknown materials, underscoring the scale of the problem.

Research by New Jersey Future, a nonprofit advocacy organization, highlights that cities such as Passaic, Newark, Trenton, and Camden have some of the highest concentrations of households served by lead pipes. These cities also have large renter populations, making disclosure laws especially critical.

Senator Linda Greenstein (D-Mercer/Middlesex), who co-sponsored the bill in the Senate, emphasized the health risks associated with lead exposure, particularly for children and pregnant women.

“Exposure to even small amounts of lead can lead to serious health complications, including memory and concentration difficulties, and miscarriages or premature birth in pregnant women, Greenstein said. We must be vigilant in our fight against lead exposure by ensuring that customers and consumers are provided with as much information as possible surrounding their risk and are allowed the ability to have lead service lines replaced.”

The new law builds on New Jersey’s ongoing statewide initiative to replace all lead service lines within the next decade. By holding landlords accountable and giving renters the ability to take proactive steps, officials hope to reduce lead exposure and improve drinking water quality across the state.