Are there laws protecting children in New York City from the hazards of lead based paint in housing?

Yes. There are Federal, State and City laws relating to lead paint in housing. In New York City, there is a body of law that was designed to protect children from the vagaries of injury from exposure to lead based paint hazards. Local Law #1 of 2004 is a set of laws that govern and apply to New York City. When the law went into effect in 2004 it was intended to stamp out lead poisoning in New York City by the year 2010. This sadly has not occurred for a variety of reasons.