This bill amends Minnesota Statutes to enhance lead testing and management in school drinking water. It requires school districts and charter schools to develop a comprehensive drinking water management plan aimed at reducing lead levels in water outlets serving students and child care facilities. The plan must include specific provisions for the installation and maintenance of filtered bottle-filling stations and faucets, as well as a schedule for annual water testing to ensure lead concentrations do not exceed five parts per billion. Additionally, the bill mandates that by October 1, 2025, all new drinking fountains must be filtered bottle-filling stations, and by the end of the 2026-2027 school year, all non-compliant water outlets must be rendered inoperable.

The bill also establishes a "clean drinking water account" with an initial appropriation of $55 million to assist schools and child care centers in acquiring and maintaining filtered water systems. It includes provisions for nonpublic schools to comply with similar lead testing and management requirements. Furthermore, the bill repeals a previous statute that outlined the financial responsibilities of school districts regarding lead contamination caused by public water systems, thereby shifting the focus to proactive measures for ensuring safe drinking water in educational settings. The effective date for most provisions is set for July 1, 2024.