The bill amends Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws, titled "Health and Safety of Pupils," by introducing a new section, 16-21-43, which focuses on school air quality. It mandates the Department of Health to establish recommended standards for indoor air quality in schools, covering aspects such as temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide levels, and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). Additionally, the Department of Education is tasked with creating a program for uniform inspections and evaluations of indoor air quality in school buildings, which must be conducted every five years in conjunction with local school boards. The inspections will assess various factors, including measurements of temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, PM2.5, PM10, and the efficiency of HVAC systems, as well as the condition of ventilation components.

Furthermore, the bill requires that all schools with HVAC systems install filters that achieve a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 13, where feasible, and mandates that all HVAC repairs, upgrades, or replacements be performed by a skilled and trained workforce, with adjustments made by qualified adjusting personnel. The results of the inspections and evaluations must be made readily available online and communicated to school principals, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and local school boards. The Departments of Health and Education are authorized to promulgate necessary rules and regulations to implement these provisions. The act will take effect upon passage.