Quigley Bedbug Bill Clears Assembly Panel
By Jon Whiten • Feb 8th, 2010 • Category: Blog, News, Politics
Legislation sponsored by Jersey City Assemblywoman and Newark Assemblywoman L. Grace Spencer to provide additional tools for landlords and tenants to address bedbug infestations was released by the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee today by a six to zero vote.
The bill was introduced by Quigley after it came to light that some Jersey City landlords were charging tenants hundreds of dollars to exterminate bedbug infestations that they hadn’t caused. It passed the Assembly by a 74 to 3 vote in the last session, but the Senate never took up the bill.
The legislation that passed committee today saw input from a number of stakeholders, including tenant groups, rental housing providers, professional exterminators, local health boards and the state Department of Community Affairs.
The bill would make building owners responsible for maintaining dwellings that are free of bedbug infestations. Under the bill, if and when a bedbug outbreak is reported, landlords would be required to exterminate the pests at their own expense.
Landlords who do not take action when an infestation is reported would face fines of $300 per infested apartment and $1,000 per infested common area. In addition, local health boards would be empowered to conduct exterminations and bill uncooperative landlords.
The measure would require the state Department of Health and Senior Services to create an pamphlet to educate renters about bedbugs and about renter’s responsibilities to notify their landlord if bedbugs are detected.
The bill now goes to the Assembly Speaker, who decides if and when to post it for a floor vote. The City Council passed similar legislation in Jersey City in 2008; if the statewide bill passes, Quigley has said the city’s ordinance would become moot.
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Jon Whiten is the founding editor of the Jersey City Independent.
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Bed bugs are a growing issue! As a state certified pest control operator, I have seen and dealt with this pest almost daily. I have seen this pest in public transportation, hospitals, assisted living, hotels, theaters, etc. This insect is considered one of the best hitch hikers in the world. When dealing with a multi family dwelling, someone had to bring them in, just like a hotel. This insect does not naturally thrive outside, and works it way in like many other nussiance pests. Holding property management responsible for their tennants is utterly irresponsible. Many rules would need to change with regards to operator / owner inspections of their respective property. Which may lead to ones right to privacy being violated. An inspection of personal belongings, bedding, etc should be inspected at least quarterly to identify possible introductions. What do you do if the tennant does not allow access for the inspection? Is their a fine or penalty? If I were a tennant at a multi family property, I would have a reasonable expectation of privacy, a general inspection of carpeting, a/c, walls, and such would be acceptable, but my bedding, and clothing, and personal belongings, forget it! Without a proper inspection, and early detection, bed bugs can get out of control. What about tennants that dont report findings in a timely manner? Most people dont realize they have a problem until it is out of control. To me, this is a common sense issue, I make money regardless of who pays for it! I just believe we should all use a little common sense before holding the wrong persons accountable!