SCS/SB 1075 - This act establishes the "Get the Lead Out of School Drinking Water Act". Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year and for each subsequent school year, each school shall provide drinking water with a lead concentration below one part per billion (1 ppb).
Before January 1, 2024, each school shall complete requirements outlined in the act including: conducting an inventory of all drinking water outlets and nonpotable water fixtures in each school building, removing certain drinking watercoolers that are not lead-free, installing filters to reduce lead in drinking water, and providing general information on the health effects of lead contamination to employees and parents of children at each school.
Schools shall prioritize early childhood, kindergarten, and elementary school buildings in updating and filtering drinking water outlets for lead as stated in the act.
Within 60 days of installing filters, and annually thereafter, schools shall conduct testing for lead as stated in the act. Within 2 weeks after receiving test results, schools shall make all testing results and any remediation plans available on the school's website and shall submit the annual results to the Safe Drinking Water Commission.
The act outlines procedures to be undertaken if a sample draw shows a lead concentration of 1 ppb or greater. Affected schools with test results greater than 1 ppb shall contacts parents and staff within 7 business days of receiving such result.
If, in the 10 years prior to the 2023-24 school year a fixture tested above 1 ppb for lead, such fixture does not need repeat testing but instead shall be remediated.
Subject to appropriation, the Department of Natural Resources is authorized to give schools additional funding for filtration, testing, and other remediation of drinking water systems.
A school district may seek reimbursement from several federal sources for costs associated with expenses districts may incur for compliance with the act.
The Safe Drinking Water Commission and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall publish a report biennially based on the findings of the water testing conducted under the act.
The Commission shall provide guidance to schools on the maintenance of filters and filtration systems and the development of flushing plans and create an online program for custodial staff relating to the maintenance of filters and filtration systems.
The Commission shall have the authority to enter school buildings to ensure compliance with the act.
No school building constructed after January 4, 2014, shall be required to install, maintain, or replace filters.
Finally, any school that tests and does not find a drinking water source with a lead concentration above 1 ppb shall be required to test such sources once every 5 years.
This act is similar to a provision in the truly agreed CCS#2/HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 681 & 662 (2022), a provision in HC/SB 984 (2022), a provision in SCS/HCS/HB 2151 (2022) and HCS/HB 2532 (2022).
JAMIE ANDREWS