Rhode Island’s latest attempt to tackle its longstanding lead poisoning problem comes in the form of a new statewide Rental Registry. The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is touting this as a breakthrough for tenant safety, but as with many government initiatives, the devil may be in the details.

The registry, accessible at rentalregistry.ri.gov, requires all landlords in the state to submit information about their rental properties by October 1, 2024. On paper, it sounds like a step forward. But in true Rhode Island fashion, the website states that it isn’t optimized for mobile devices – a puzzling oversight considering most users are likely to access it on their smartphones.

RIDOH’s Director of Health, Dr. Jerome Larkin, paints a rosy picture: “All children deserve protection from the lifelong effects of lead exposure, but lead remains a persistent hazard in too many homes.” It’s hard to argue with the sentiment, but the effectiveness of this new system remains to be seen.

The registry’s primary focus is on properties built before 1978, which are more likely to contain lead-based paint. Landlords renting these older properties must provide a valid Certificate of Lead Conformance or another approved lead certificate. It’s worth noting that this requirement isn’t new – it’s been on the books since 2005. What’s new is the threat of financial penalties for non-compliance.

Under the new rules, landlords who fail to register face a civil fine of at least $50 per unit, per month. Those without valid lead certificates could be hit with a steeper fine of at least $125 per unit, per month. Additionally, unregistered landlords lose the right to file for eviction due to non-payment of rent. It’s a significant stick, but whether it will be effectively wielded is another question.

Attorney General Peter F. Neronha is singing from the same hymn sheet as RIDOH, claiming the registry will “help keep our kids safe by giving families access to the information they need to choose housing.” But let’s be real – how many prospective tenants, especially those in lower-income brackets with fewer housing options, will actually have the luxury of choosing based on this information?

The state’s focus on lead exposure is understandable. It’s a serious health equity issue, with children in Rhode Island’s core cities of Central Falls, Pawtucket, Providence, and Woonsocket showing disproportionately higher rates of elevated blood lead levels. These areas also have a higher concentration of older housing stock, creating a perfect storm of risk for vulnerable populations.

RIDOH is using this opportunity to remind parents to have their children screened for lead exposure – once by 18 months and again by 36 months. It’s solid advice, but it also underscores the reactive nature of our approach to this problem. We’re still relying on detecting lead in children’s blood rather than ensuring it’s not in their environment in the first place.

While the registry might provide more transparency, it’s not a silver bullet. The success of this registry will depend on consistent enforcement, user-friendly implementation (including fixing that mobile interface), and buy-in from both landlords and tenants. It’s a step, but whether it’s a step forward or just a sidestep remains to be seen.