NJ A5812

Commissioner of Education must establish a "School Lead Filters" grant program within 180 days to fund the purchase and installation of filtered bottle-filling stations and filtered faucets in public schools

Filters must be certified to meet NSF/ANSI standards 53 for lead reduction and 42 for particulate removal, with indicators showing when cartridge replacement is needed

Priority for grants goes to schools with documented significant water quality issues (elevated lead or contaminant levels) and schools that have not yet installed filtered stations or faucets

Commissioner may develop guidance for schools on selecting, siting, and maintaining the filtration equipment, including filter cartridge replacement schedules

A report to the Governor and Legislature is required within six months after the 2025-2026 school year, detailing grant applications, awards, and estimated funding needed to meet total demand across all public schools