QUIGLEY/SPENCER/SMITH INTRODUCE BILL TO REQUIRE PROPER BEDBUG EXTERMINATION IN MULTI-UNIT RESIDENCES

Measure Stems From July Outbreak of Bedbugs in Hudson County Apartment Complexes; Would Make Landlords Legally, Financially Responsible for Ending Infestations

(TRENTON) - Assembly members Joan M. Quigley, L. Grace Spencer, and L. Harvey Smith have introduced legislation that would make landlords entirely responsible for keeping apartment complexes free of bedbug infestations.

The sponsors said they were alerted to the need for the legislation after news reports detailed severe bedbug outbreaks in apartment complexes across Hudson County.  In these instances, tenants, some of whom had nothing to do with the initial infestation, were being charged extermination costs.

"It's disgusting to think there are places in New Jersey where renters are being forced to cohabitate with vermin, simply because they cannot afford a proper extermination," said Quigley (D-Hudson).  "Tenants shouldn't have to pay extra simply to live in a clean and safe environment."

Originally thought to be eradicated in the U.S., bedbug infestation reports have increased by almost 500 percent in the last decade, largely due to increased foreign travel.  Able to live for up to 18 months without food, bedbugs are uniquely hard to get rid of without professional extermination.  These exterminations can require several treatments, each of which can cost more than $300.

"Bedbugs are hardy pests and can quickly infest an entire apartment building," said Spencer (D-Essex).  "It only makes sense that the responsibility for removing an infestation be given to landlords because piecemeal extermination is virtually impossible."

The legislation (A-3203) would make building owners responsible for maintaining dwellings that are free of bedbug infestations.  Under the bill, if and when a bedbug outbreak occurs, landlords would be required to exterminate the pests at their own expense.

Landlords who don't take action when an infestation is reported would face fines of $300 per infested apartment and $1,000 per infested common area.  Moreover, local health boards would be empowered to conduct exterminations and bill unresponsive landlords.

The measure also would require the state Department of Health and Senior Services to create and distribute an informational pamphlet to educate the public about bedbugs.

"Making sure that renters are able to live pest free is only one part of the equation," said Smith (D-Hudson).  "We also must work to educate the public about bedbugs to prevent future infestations from reaching epidemic proportions."

The bill has been referred to the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee for a hearing.

To view a video op-ed by Assemblywoman Quigley that discusses the need for this legislation, please visit www.assemblydems.com, or click here.

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