The bill amends existing laws regarding sanitation in food establishments and the management of private well water contamination. It introduces new provisions in Section 21-27-3, allowing the use of private well water in restrooms of food service establishments, provided that the water meets the standards set forth in Section 23-1-5.3. The director is granted the authority to adopt regulations concerning sanitation and to require the posting of notices in restrooms that utilize private well water, informing users that the water is not suitable for drinking or food preparation. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the director retains the authority to regulate the source of drinking water and water used for food preparation.

In Section 23-1-5.3, the bill establishes the duties of the office of private well water contamination, which includes coordinating responses to contamination events, advising stakeholders on regulations, and developing educational materials. It mandates testing for specific contaminants in private wells and requires property owners to disclose testing results prior to property transactions. A new insertion requires the office to develop regulations to ensure the safety of employees and the public regarding the use of private well water in food service establishment restrooms. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
5859: 21-27-3, 23-1-5.3