HB 4978 Summary

• State Board of Education must revise its model local wellness policy by January 1, 2018 to include a Healthy School Environment policy with plans and schedules for testing water in all public schools for lead and other contaminants, and testing indoor air quality for carbon dioxide, particulate matter, formaldehyde, and volatile organic compounds.

• Local education agencies must submit revised wellness policies within one year of the model policy's creation that include testing plans consistent with state board standards for water and air quality contaminants.

• Local education agencies must ensure at least 75% of cleaning products used in public schools are certified green products meeting Environmental Protection Agency Safer Choice, Green Seal, Green Guard, Environmental Choice, or state board-approved certifications.

• State Board must coordinate with the Department of Environmental Quality to establish rules for actions schools must take when testing reveals contamination above acceptable levels, and must submit a comprehensive report to the legislature within 6 months of test completion evaluating risks, funding needs, and existing environmental health frameworks.

• Drinking water at every public school must be tested within 90 days of the policy's creation, with the state board providing technical assistance and monitoring findings from local education agencies.