A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-1-415 SO AS TO provide EVERY CHILDCARE LEARNING CENTER AND EVERY SCHOOL SHALL TEST DRINKING WATER OUTLETS FOR LEAD CONTAMINATION AND REMEDIATE AS NEEDED, TO PROVIDE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, AND TO PROVIDE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH SHALL DEVELOP CERTAIN RELATED RULES FOR IMPLEMENTING THESE REQUIREMENTS.

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

 

SECTION 1.  Article 5, Chapter 1, Title 59 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

    Section 59-1-415.  (A) As used in this section:

       (1) "Childcare learning center" has the same meaning as in Section 63-13-20(3).

       (2) "School" means any public or private primary or secondary school.

    (B) No later than June 30, 2025, every childcare learning center and every school shall conduct testing of drinking water outlets for lead contamination and remediate any lead contamination identified. The testing and remediation mut be conducted in accordance with rules established pursuant to subsection (D).

    (C) Where a finding of lead contamination is made, a childcare learning center or school shall:

       (1) provide written notice of test results and the remediation plan to parents or guardians of children and students and to staff members;

       (2) post the test results and remediation plan in a prominent location and on its website; and

        (3) submit the test results and remediation plan to the Department of Public Health.

    (D) The State Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of Public Health, shall establish rules no later than January 1, 2025, regarding the testing of drinking water outlets and the remediation of lead contamination as required pursuant to this code section. The rules must include, but not be limited to, minimum criteria for testing drinking water, entities that are authorized to analyze drinking water samples, and any intermediate or alternate water sources required during remediation.

 

SECTION 2.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

----XX----