Senate Bill No. 1326 amends existing laws regarding water fluoridation and the adoption of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Food Code. The bill establishes a specific fluoride level that water companies must maintain in their water supply, requiring an average monthly fluoride content of 0.7 milligrams per liter (mg/L) with a permissible deviation of 0.15 mg/L. This change replaces the previous requirement that tied fluoride levels to the recommendations of the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The bill continues to apply to water systems serving 20,000 or more people.

Additionally, the bill modifies the process by which the Department of Public Health (DPH) adopts the FDA Food Code. It mandates that the DPH commissioner adopt any revisions to the FDA Food Code issued by December 31, 2024, and grants the commissioner the discretion to adopt other FDA Food Code Supplements, rather than requiring adoption as was previously mandated. These changes aim to streamline food safety regulations while ensuring that public health standards are maintained. The bill is effective upon passage and does not have a fiscal impact on the state, although it may affect municipal water companies financially depending on the fluoride levels required.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
PH Joint Favorable:
File No. 288: