The bill amends the "Clean Drinking Water Access Act" to establish stricter requirements for schools regarding the management of drinking water. Schools are now required to develop a drinking water management plan by January 24, 2025, which must include the locations of water outlets, a schedule for annual water sampling and testing, and a plan for regular filter replacements. The bill specifies that if lead is detected in the water at concentrations between 1 and 5 parts per billion, schools must take immediate action to check and replace filters, resample the water, and notify the department and parents. If lead levels exceed 5 parts per billion, schools must shut off the water outlet, post warnings, and develop a remediation plan.

Additionally, the bill mandates 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. Schools are also required to submit annual documentation to the department certifying compliance with these requirements. The bill includes provisions for exemptions based on prior lead testing results and emphasizes that schools are not obligated to comply unless sufficient funding is appropriated by the legislature.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 380.1905, 380.1907