This bill enacts the following measures concerning single-use disposable water bottles.
1. It provides that, beginning January 1, 2024, a food service providing or serving individual portions of food or a beverage at a facility or function of the State or of a political subdivision may not sell, offer for sale or provide to a consumer uncarbonated, unflavored drinking water in a single-use beverage container containing one liter or less of water.
2. It provides that, beginning January 1, 2024, an agency, department, board, commission or institution of the State or of a political subdivision may not purchase uncarbonated, unflavored drinking water in single-use beverage containers containing one liter or less of water.
3. It provides that, beginning January 1, 2024, each facility or function of the State or of a political subdivision that is open to the public or that is regularly used by employees of the State or of a political subdivision must include a reasonably accessible water refill station.
4. It provides that, beginning January 1, 2024, a retail establishment that makes available to the public free of charge a water refill station within the retail establishment must post signs within the store describing the location of the refill station and notifying consumers that they may consume water or refill a beverage container with water free of charge at the refill station.
5. It provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, a retail establishment that sells or offers for sale uncarbonated, unflavored drinking water in single-use beverage containers containing one liter or less of water must make available to the public free of charge a reasonably accessible water refill station within the retail establishment and post signs within the store describing the location of the refill station and notifying consumers that
44 they may consume water or refill a beverage container with water free of charge at the refill
45 station.
6. It provides that the Department of Environmental Protection must engage in education and outreach activities with retail establishments regarding the water refill station requirements and must investigate any complaints received regarding noncompliance by a retail establishment with those requirements.