§6309. Water bottle filling stations
1.
Water bottle filling stations.
Beginning in fiscal year 2024-25, a newly constructed public school or existing public school undergoing substantial renovations must be equipped with a water bottle filling station pursuant to this section. For purposes of this section, "water bottle filling station" means a water dispenser accessible to all persons in compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 that dispenses potable drinking water directly into a bottle or other drinking container. For purposes of this section, "substantial renovations" means any renovation for which the cost exceeds 50% of the building's current value prior to renovation.
[PL 2023, c. 492, §1 (NEW).]
2.
Water bottle filling station criteria.
A water bottle filling station:
A.
Must dispense clean, filtered, cooled drinking water;
[PL 2023, c. 492, §1 (NEW).]
B.
Must be regularly cleaned to maintain sanitary conditions;
[PL 2023, c. 492, §1 (NEW).]
C.
Must be maintained to ensure proper functioning, including replacing the filling station's filter as recommended by the manufacturer;
[PL 2023, c. 492, §1 (NEW).]
D.
May be integrated into a drinking fountain, which is considered one water bottle filling station under subsection 3; and
[PL 2023, c. 492, §1 (NEW).]
E.
May be touchless for sanitary reasons.
[PL 2023, c. 492, §1 (NEW).]
[PL 2023, c. 492, §1 (NEW).]
3.
Building inspection requirements.
A state or municipal building inspection authority may not approve the plans or specifications for a new public school building or for any substantial renovations to an existing public school building unless the plans and specifications provide for:
A.
A minimum of one water bottle filling station for every 200 people projected to occupy the building upon completion of the proposed construction;
[PL 2023, c. 492, §1 (NEW).]
B.
A minimum of one water bottle filling station for every floor or wing of the new construction; and
[PL 2023, c. 492, §1 (NEW).]
C.
A minimum of one water bottle filling station located near a cafeteria, gymnasium, outdoor recreation space or other high-traffic area.
[PL 2023, c. 492, §1 (NEW).]
[PL 2023, c. 492, §1 (NEW).]
4.
Student water bottles.
A public school shall allow a student to possess a water bottle in school that:
A.
Is refillable;
[PL 2023, c. 492, §1 (NEW).]
B.
Is made of a material that is not easily breakable;
[PL 2023, c. 492, §1 (NEW).]
C.
Has a lid or cover to prevent the bottle from spilling; and
[PL 2023, c. 492, §1 (NEW).]
D.
Is to be filled and used exclusively for water.
[PL 2023, c. 492, §1 (NEW).]
[PL 2023, c. 492, §1 (NEW).]
5.
Disciplinary policy.
A school board may enact a disciplinary policy regarding the misuse of a water bottle by a school student, employee or staff member.
[PL 2023, c. 492, §1 (NEW).]
6.
Rules.
The state board shall adopt rules to carry out the purposes of this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules under Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.
[PL 2023, c. 492, §1 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2023, c. 492, §1 (NEW).