Bill > HB1366

This bill establishes new water safety standards for PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), a group of human-made chemicals widely used in consumer products since the 1950s, such as nonstick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, and firefighting foams. The bill requires the Indiana Department of Health to adopt rules setting maximum contaminant levels for PFAS in public water systems, which are defined as water systems serving at least 15 service connections or 25 individuals. These maximum contaminant levels must be scientifically protective of public health, with special consideration for vulnerable populations like pregnant women, nursing mothers, infants, and children, and cannot be less strict than standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The bill provides a detailed definition of PFAS, noting that these chemicals are persistent in the environment, can accumulate in human bodies, and have been linked to reproductive, developmental, liver, kidney, and immunological effects in laboratory studies. The new water safety standards will take effect on July 1, 2025, giving water system operators time to prepare for and implement the new regulations.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/house/1366/details