The bill amends Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws by adding a new section titled "School air quality," which establishes guidelines for indoor air quality in schools. The Department of Health is tasked with setting recommended thresholds for various air quality parameters, including temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10).

Additionally, the Department of Education's school building authority is required to conduct uniform inspections and evaluations of indoor air quality in school buildings every five years, in collaboration with local school boards. These inspections will assess HVAC systems and identify any deficiencies against the health department's recommendations, including the estimated costs for necessary remediation.

The bill mandates that all schools with HVAC systems install filters that achieve a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) of 13, or the highest level achievable without significantly reducing the lifespan or performance of the existing HVAC system. It specifies that all HVAC-related work must be performed by a skilled and trained workforce, and adjustments must be made by qualified personnel.

The Departments of Health and Education are authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this section. The act will take effect upon passage.