The bill amends the "Clean Drinking Water Access Act" to establish stricter requirements for schools regarding drinking water management plans. Schools are now required to develop and submit a drinking water management plan by January 24, 2025, which must include the locations of water outlets, a schedule for annual water testing, and procedures for addressing lead contamination. Specifically, if lead is detected at concentrations between 1 and 5 parts per billion, schools must check and potentially replace filters, resample the water, and notify parents and guardians if lead levels exceed 5 parts per billion. The bill also mandates that schools review and update their plans every five years.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that by the end of the 2025-2026 school year, schools must install filtered bottle-filling stations and filtered faucets, while shutting off any non-filtered water outlets for human consumption. Schools that have conducted lead testing between January 24, 2022, and January 24, 2025, and found no lead are exempt from certain requirements, but must still comply with testing protocols. The legislation emphasizes the importance of safe drinking water in schools and outlines the necessary steps to ensure compliance, including annual documentation to the department certifying adherence to the act's requirements.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 380.1905, 380.1907