Bill > HB995

This bill establishes the "Get the Lead Out of School Drinking Water Act", which requires schools to ensure drinking water lead concentrations are below five parts per billion beginning in the 2023-24 school year. Schools must conduct a comprehensive inventory of drinking water outlets by January 1, 2024, prioritizing early childhood, kindergarten, and elementary school buildings. By August 1, 2024, schools must complete lead testing, make results publicly available, and remove or replace drinking water outlets that do not meet lead standards. If lead contamination is detected, schools must either install lead-reducing filters, provide purified water, or remove the outlet from service. Schools are required to notify parents and staff within seven business days if test results exceed five parts per billion and provide bottled water if necessary. The bill provides additional funding opportunities for schools, with disadvantaged school districts receiving priority. Schools must conduct annual testing of a random sample of drinking water outlets, with schools that consistently test below five parts per billion required to test only every five years. The departments of natural resources, elementary and secondary education, and health and senior services will oversee implementation, publish biennial reports, and ensure compliance. The bill aims to protect students from potential lead exposure in school drinking water systems.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Government Affairs

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB995&year=2025&code=R