Bill > S2873

This bill mandates regular inspections and evaluations of indoor air quality in all public school buildings, including their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, which are crucial for maintaining a healthy and productive learning environment. The Department of Health will establish guidelines with recommended thresholds for environmental conditions like temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide levels, and specific types of airborne particles (PM2.5 and PM10) that impact health and learning. The Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health, will conduct these inspections every five years using qualified personnel and define the assessment procedures, which will include measuring air quality parameters and verifying the condition and maintenance of ventilation systems according to professional engineering standards. The bill also requires schools to install air filtration systems with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of thirteen, or the highest feasible level if a MERV 13 system is not compatible with the existing HVAC, and to replace filters regularly. Inspection results will be made publicly available online and shared with school principals, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and local school boards, and will include estimated costs for necessary improvements. Finally, within one year of the bill's passage, the Department of Education and Department of Health will report to the General Assembly with recommendations for improving indoor air quality, with subsequent reports and surveys to be conducted every five years thereafter, all subject to the availability of state funding.