Bill
S 4632
Creates the School Lead Filters grant program to fund point-of-use filtered bottle-filling stations and filtered faucets in New Jersey public schools to reduce lead exposure.
Status and key dates
- Bill number: S 4632 — Enacted as P.L.2025, c.76 (approved June 30, 2025). Took effect immediately.
- Sponsor: Sen. Alexis Weik.
- Companion: A5812.
- Committee amendments: renamed program “School Lead Filters,” specified equipment as point-of-use, extended program start deadline from 90 to 180 days after enactment.
Purpose
- Establishes a grant program to help New Jersey public schools purchase and install point‑of‑use filtered bottle‑filling stations and filtered faucets, aimed at reducing lead and other contaminants in school drinking water and protecting student health.
Key provisions
- Definitions:
- “Filtered bottle‑filling station” must be connected to site piping, certified to NSF/ANSI 53 (lead reduction) and NSF/ANSI 42 (particulate removal), have matched flow rate for the cartridge, include a filter‑replacement indicator, be designed to fill bottles/containers, and include a drinking fountain.
- “Filtered faucet” is a point‑of‑use faucet with a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 and 42.
- School Lead Filters program:
- Commissioner of Education must establish the grant program within 180 days after enactment.
- Grants (subject to available appropriations) cover purchase and installation of point‑of‑use filtered bottle‑filling stations and filtered faucets.
- Schools apply in a form and manner set by the Commissioner; the DOE must advertise availability and publish program information online.
- Priority in awarding grants to schools that: (a) demonstrate significant water quality issues (test results, DEP reports, or reliable data showing elevated lead/contaminants), and (b) have not already installed eligible equipment.
- Guidance and reporting:
- Commissioner may issue guidance within six months after enactment on selection, siting, and cartridge replacement.
- Commissioner must report to the Governor and Legislature no later than six months after the end of the 2025–2026 school year (i.e., ~December 2026). Report must include number of applications, awards, and recommended additional funding needed to meet statewide demand.
Who is affected
- Department of Education (program administration, outreach, optional guidance, report).
- New Jersey public school districts (eligible applicants; recipients will receive grant revenue and incur related expenditures).
- Students and school staff (beneficiaries of improved drinking water).
- Vendors/installers of certified point‑of‑use filtration equipment.
Fiscal impact
- Office of Legislative Services: indeterminate increase in annual State expenditures (grants are subject to appropriation). Impact on school district revenues/expenditures is indeterminate.
- OLS noted an illustrative average cost for a bottle‑filling station (purchase, installation, maintenance) of about $3,450 per year; filtered faucets likely cost less. The bill contains no specific appropriation.
Implementation notes
- Grants are discretionary and limited by available appropriations.
- The equipment must meet specified NSF/ANSI certification standards and include features to facilitate maintenance (replacement indicators).
- The law takes effect immediately; the program launch deadline is 180 days after enactment.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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