"New Jersey's depleted lead poisoning prevention fund, raided to pay other government bills, is poised to get a full public airing, following an Asbury Park Press investigation.

A state Senate panel March 9 plans to discuss a bill (S-1279) that would pump $10 million into the nearly empty Lead Hazard Control Assistance Fund. The fund is supposed to provide loans and grants to remove lead paint — a special hazard to children — from homes and rental units.

"With thousands of children in the state continuing to be poisoned each year, we must take action," Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen, said in a statement."

Todd B. Bates reports for the Asbury Park Press January 29, 2015. [2]