MS HB925

State Board of Education must adopt rules requiring newly constructed public schools and certain renovated schools to install water bottle filling stations meeting specified requirements.

Students and staff are permitted to carry refillable water bottles in school facilities and on school premises.

New school buildings and renovation projects commencing after January 1, 2022 must include minimum one water bottle filling station per floor/wing, one in high-traffic areas (gyms, cafeterias), and one station per 100 projected students.

Water bottle filling stations and drinking fountains must dispense filtered clean water, be regularly maintained, and fountains must have protective cowls with waterspouts at least 1 inch above the overflow rim.

Requirements apply to new construction, capital improvement projects costing $100,000 or more, projects under $100,000 that include fountain installation/replacement, and any school where existing fountains are replaced or new ones installed after January 1, 2022.