| Chapter 115 |
| 2021 -- S 0459 Enacted 07/02/2021 |
| A N A C T |
| RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS |
Introduced By: Senators Cano, Gallo, Seveney, Quezada, Lawson, and DiPalma |
| Date Introduced: March 04, 2021 |
| It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: |
| SECTION 1. Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws entitled "Health and Safety of Pupils" is |
| hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: |
| 16-21-37. An act requiring water Water bottle filling stations in new and renovated |
| schools. |
| (a) The state of Rhode Island finds and declares that: |
| (1) Water plays an important role in maintaining a child’s overall health; |
| (2) Drinking water can positively impact children’s cognitive performance; |
| (3) Drinking water can improve children’s fine motor skills and visual attention, which |
| helps with learning activities, such as reading; |
| (4) Drinking water can help people maintain a healthier weight. |
| (b) The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all newly constructed schools and those |
| schools undergoing major building renovations incorporate adequate water bottle filling stations to |
| increase access to free, easily accessible, safe, and good-tasting drinking water on school property. |
| (1) (c) Major renovations shall mean renovations with a total estimated cost of five hundred |
| thousand dollars ($500,000) or more, or involves involving the substantial repair, replacement, or |
| upgrading of the plumbing system or plumbing fixtures. |
| (c) (d) All newly constructed public school buildings and public school buildings |
| undergoing major renovations, such as additions, within the state of Rhode Island shall be equipped |
| with water bottle filling stations consistent with the requirements of this policy. |
| (d) (e) The school committees of each city or town and/or the governing authority |
| overseeing school policies or construction, shall not approve the plans or specifications for a new |
| public school building, any addition, or major renovations of an existing public school building |
| unless the plans and specifications provide for the following: |
| (1) A minimum of one water bottle filling station per one hundred (100) people projected |
| to occupy the building upon completion of the proposed construction; |
| (2) A minimum of one water bottle filling station on each floor and on each wing of each |
| school building; |
| (3) A minimum of one water bottle filling station located in or near gymnasiums, cafeterias, |
| and other high-traffic areas. |
| (4) Water bottle filling stations may be integrated into drinking fountains; and |
| (5) Schools are encouraged to install touchless water bottle filling stations for sanitary |
| reasons. |
| (e) (f) A water bottle filling station installed in a public school building must: |
| (1) Dispense clean, cooled, filtered drinking water; |
| (2) Be regularly cleaned to maintain sanitary conditions; and |
| (3) Be maintained on a regular basis to ensure they function it functions properly.; |
| (f) (g) Students, teachers, and staff shall be allowed to bring and carry approved water |
| bottles under the following conditions: |
| (1) Wager Water bottles shall be made of material that is not easily breakable; |
| (2) Water bottles shall have a lid to prevent spills; |
| (3) Water bottles shall be used exclusively for water and no other beverage; |
| (4) Water bottles shall be allowed in classrooms, but may be excluded from libraries, |
| computer labs, science labs, and other places where it is deemed dangerous to have drinking water; |
| (5) Misuse of water bottles may be subject to disciplinary action. |
| SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2022. |
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| LC001428 |
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