The bill amends existing Louisiana law regarding public water systems and their fluoridation requirements. It allows local governments the authority to vote on whether to exempt public water systems from mandatory fluoridation. Specifically, it modifies R.S. 40:5.11 by removing the stipulation that a public water system must have never used fluoridation to qualify for exemption and clarifies that the Louisiana Department of Health will be responsible for promulgating rules related to the fluoridation of public water systems.

Additionally, the bill maintains that public water systems with at least five thousand service connections must still acquire and maintain equipment to ensure fluoride levels are within the optimal range, provided that sufficient funding is available for the costs associated with fluoridation. The effective date of the bill is contingent upon the governor's signature or the expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature.

Statutes affected:
SB4 Original:
SB4 Engrossed:
SB4 Reengrossed:
SB4 Enrolled: 40:11(B)(1), 40:11(B)(4), 40:11(G)
SB4 Act : 40:11(B)(1), 40:11(B)(4), 40:11(G)