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HD 4202

An Act for the establishment of a voucher program for home water filtration equipment

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Connolly and 2 co-sponsors

The bill creates a DEP‑administered voucher program to help residents in PFAS‑affected areas obtain certified point‑of‑use filtration devices or replacement filters, with limits an

Senate concurred
0
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Bill Summary · HD 4202

Summary: An Act for the establishment of a voucher program for home water filtration equipment (HD 4202)

Overview

HD 4202 proposes creating a Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)–administered voucher program to help residents in municipalities where PFAS levels exceed state limits obtain home water filtration equipment. The program targets point‑of‑use filtration devices and replacement filters, with certified devices and defined usage limits. The bill amends Chapter 21A to add a new PFAS Filtration Voucher Program (Section 8G).

Purpose and intent

  • Improve access to PFAS filtration for residents in affected areas.
  • Promote use of certified filtration devices proven to reduce PFAS in drinking water.
  • Use state and federal water quality grants to fund voucher reimbursements to retailers.

Key provisions

Eligibility and eligibility criteria

  • DEP shall identify “affected municipalities” where PFAS levels exceed the DEP’s maximum contaminant levels (MCLs).
  • A real property address (single‑family homes or numbered units in multi‑unit dwellings) may apply for vouchers.
  • Eligible devices include third‑party certified point‑of‑use filtration devices and replacement filters.
  • Certification requirements:
    • Device must be certified by an independent body accredited to ISO 17065 (in the U.S. and signatory to IAF MLA), such as NSF International, Water Quality Association, or IAPMO.
    • Device must be NSF/ANSI 53 (Drinking Water Treatment Units – Health Effects) with PFAS reduction claims, or NSF/ANSI 58 (Reverse Osmosis Systems) with PFAS reduction claims.

Voucher issuance and limits

  • Residents in affected municipalities may request vouchers from DEP.
  • Proof of address in an affected municipality is required.
  • Address limits:
    • No more than two vouchers for point‑of‑use filtration devices per address within five years.
    • No more than two vouchers for replacement filters per address within six months.

Redemption and reimbursement

  • Voucher can be redeemed at any retail establishment selling filtration equipment.
  • Retailers must accept the voucher in lieu of payment (either for a filtration device or for a replacement filter).
  • DEP reimburses retailers upon presentation of the voucher and sale record.

Funding

  • Voucher program costs are funded from state and federal water quality grants to the DEP.

Administrative and implementation details

  • The bill would add a new Section 8G to Chapter 21A.
  • DEP is responsible for maintaining a registry of addresses that have previously received vouchers and a list of affected municipalities.
  • The program defines “address” as a single-family home or a unit within a multi‑unit dwelling.

Affected parties

  • Residents in municipalities with PFAS exceedances.
  • Property owners and tenants of affected addresses.
  • Retailers that sell PFAS filtration devices and replacement filters.
  • DEP, which administers and reimburses voucher redemptions.

Legislative status and timeline

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Referred to the Environment and Natural Resources committee (2025-02-27).
  • Senate concurred (status indicates cross‑chamber agreement on that date).

Potential impact

  • Increased affordability and access to certified PFAS filtration equipment for households in high‑PFAS areas.
  • Streamlined reimbursement process for retailers to support local commerce and filtering market.
  • Administrative responsibilities for DEP, including tracking of eligible addresses, voucher issuance, and grant-based funding.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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