As of April 22 2010, new laws on lead-based paints went into effect requiring contractors (painters, carpenters, landlords/property managers, plumbers) to follow EPA required guidelines involving safe work practices. Called the RRP Rule, (renovation,repair,painting) it's purpose is to properly address lead -based paint hazards on disturbed painted surfaces. A renovation covers work activities done for compensation including most repair, remodeling, and maintenance of property. For example: window replacement, weatherization, interior and exterior painting of residential homes, apartments, and child occupied facilities (schools,day-care centers), built before 1978. The complete rule is available online at: www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm. 
 Renovation contractors are required to be trained and certified by either an EPA or state-approved training course, and a fee is paid by the firm. A  "Certified Renovator" is given the responsibility of overseeing a job where lead-based paint is found on a "disturbed" surface. These trained and certified people do the initial test for lead with special test kits approved by the EPA, by slicing through the painted surface with a utility knife to get to the substrate (under the layers of paint ). If lead is detected, the work safe practices go into effect. They are designed to contain any lead dust from becoming airborne, and away from workers and residents as well as neighbors or passers by. Signs must be posted prior to work being started, Renovate Right lead hazard pamphlets are handed out to homeowners, apartment tenants, and any occupants. There are many rules that must be followed once lead is found. To avoid these mundane details I'll summarize by saying they are the responsibilty of the firm doing the work. Plastic is taped around the work area, 6' around in all directions, when working inside. Exterior requirements are even more stringent, with 20' around being the rule. Covering of landscaping, closing of all doors and windows (neighbors too!), posted signs, and even vertical containment may be necessary (ie- same as bridge painting). Workers must keep lead dust off themselves and within work area before leaving it.
 There are also strict clean up of the work area rules and regs. Called cleaning verification, the certified renovator, must sign off at the end of each job. Even though the qualified and trained people are responsible, they may train other workers to do these duties, and return at the end of the job for the final inspection. During the work, the occupants are prohibited from entering the area. This is important to note since they cannot check on the job status, only rely on the contractor's word as to the project's progress. The firm must also pay for all these additional costs and may be passing them on to the property owner. This may be something to consider if it applies in your case.
 A couple of points regarding the new laws: any minor repairs or maintenance (less than 6 square feet per interior room, or 20 square feet per exterior project) are exempt from the work practice requirements. But this does not include window replacement or demolition. Homeowners working on their own homes (DIY'ers) ARE NOT required to follow these work practices. Only if  renovations are performed for compensation are they legally relevant. Of course, any homeowner who does the work themselves is encouraged by the EPA to follow these lead safe work practices. It is in their own best interest to do so. An exemption is given to a firm if all these conditions are met: 1)the renovation is in the owners home 2)no child under 6 lives there 3)no woman who is pregnant lives there 4)the housing is not a child-occupied facility 5)that the owner acknowledges that the firm is not required to follow the work practices of the RRP Rule.
 Hope this helps people understand the new requirements and what they are. My feeling is they are meant to protect young children from serious health problems, and many uninformed residents in older apartments and homes. Let's hope this is the end result and not adding more expense to both the property owner and the small business/ contractors of the world. Especially in these difficult economic times.