Among other things, the bill would require those who maintain public housing to test for lead, notify residents if it was found, and help reduce their lead exposure through things like water filters.

The funding announced last week by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will go to 40 of Indiana's public housing authorities for projects such as replacing roofs, upgrading heating systems and other improvements.

HUD said Thursday the Indianapolis Housing Agency is receiving a $243,000 grant, and housing authorities in Evansville, Fort Wayne, New Albany and Terre Haute each are getting grants of more than $100,000.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's inspector general's office examined the Evansville Housing Authority's handling of improvements to 559 apartments to address maintenance problems.

Demolition began Monday afternoon on East Chicago's West Calumet Housing Complex, but the U.S.S. Lead Superfund site still leaves former residents concerned for their future.

Dust samples have been taken from around 70 homes at the West Calumet Housing Complex in East Chicago. About 40 have come back above the level considered safe.

The housing authority for the city of Gary is getting the largest of Indiana's grants at more than $3.5 million, followed by the Indianapolis Housing Agency at roughly $2.6 million.