LAW WITHOUT
GOVERNOR'S CHAPTER
SIGNATURE
492
JANUARY 7, 2024 PUBLIC LAW
STATE OF MAINE
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IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-THREE
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H.P. 604 - L.D. 957
An Act Requiring Water Bottle Filling Stations in New and Renovated Public
Schools
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §6309 is enacted to read:
§6309. Water bottle filling stations
1. Water bottle filling stations. Beginning in fiscal year 2024-25, a newly
constructed public school or existing public school undergoing substantial renovations
must be equipped with a water bottle filling station pursuant to this section. For purposes
of this section, "water bottle filling station" means a water dispenser accessible to all
persons in compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 that
dispenses potable drinking water directly into a bottle or other drinking container. For
purposes of this section, "substantial renovations" means any renovation for which the cost
exceeds 50% of the building's current value prior to renovation.
2. Water bottle filling station criteria. A water bottle filling station:
A. Must dispense clean, filtered, cooled drinking water;
B. Must be regularly cleaned to maintain sanitary conditions;
C. Must be maintained to ensure proper functioning, including replacing the filling
station's filter as recommended by the manufacturer;
D. May be integrated into a drinking fountain, which is considered one water bottle
filling station under subsection 3; and
E. May be touchless for sanitary reasons.
3. Building inspection requirements. A state or municipal building inspection
authority may not approve the plans or specifications for a new public school building or
for any substantial renovations to an existing public school building unless the plans and
specifications provide for:
A. A minimum of one water bottle filling station for every 200 people projected to
occupy the building upon completion of the proposed construction;
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 B. A minimum of one water bottle filling station for every floor or wing of the new
construction; and
C. A minimum of one water bottle filling station located near a cafeteria, gymnasium,
outdoor recreation space or other high-traffic area.
4. Student water bottles. A public school shall allow a student to possess a water
bottle in school that:
A. Is refillable;
B. Is made of a material that is not easily breakable;
C. Has a lid or cover to prevent the bottle from spilling; and
D. Is to be filled and used exclusively for water.
5. Disciplinary policy. A school board may enact a disciplinary policy regarding the
misuse of a water bottle by a school student, employee or staff member.
6. Rules. The state board shall adopt rules to carry out the purposes of this section.
Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules under Title 5, chapter
375, subchapter 2-A.
Sec. 2. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and
allocations are made.
EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF
State Mandate Reimbursement - Water Bottle Filling Stations N476
Initiative: Provides one-time funds to reimburse school administrative units for 90% of the
cost of installing water bottle filling stations when constructing a new public school
building or undergoing a substantial renovation to an existing school building in fiscal year
2024-25 only.
GENERAL FUND 2023-24 2024-25
All Other $0 $1,404
__________ __________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL $0 $1,404
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