S. 2830 – Lead Testing in School and Child Care Drinking Water Act of 2016

114th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 2830

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 20, 2016

Mr. Schumer (for himself and Mr. Booker) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works

A BILL

To amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to provide for a school and child care lead testing grant program.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Lead Testing in School and Child Care Drinking Water Act of 2016.

Voluntary school and child care lead testing grant program

(a)

In general

Section 1464 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–24) is amended by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:

(d)

Voluntary school and child care lead testing grant program

(1)

Definitions

In this subsection:

(A)

Child care program

The term child care program has the meaning given the term early childhood education program in section 103 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003).

(B)

Local educational agency

The term local educational agency means—

(i)

a local educational agency (as defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801));

(ii)

a tribal education agency (as defined in section 3 of the National Environmental Education Act (20 U.S.C. 5502)); and

(iii)

an operator of a child care program facility.

(2)

Establishment

(A)

In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Lead Testing in School and Child Care Drinking Water Act of 2016, the Administrator shall establish a voluntary school and child care lead testing grant program to make grants available to States to assist local educational agencies in voluntary testing for lead contamination in drinking water at schools and child care programs under the jurisdiction of the local educational agencies.

(B)

Grants to local educational agencies

The Administrator may make grants directly available to local educational agencies for the voluntary testing described in subparagraph (A) in—

(i)

any State that does not participate in the voluntary school and child care lead testing grant program established under that subparagraph; and

(ii)

any direct implementation area.

(3)

Application

To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, a State or local educational agency shall submit to the Administrator an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Administrator may require.

(4)

Use of funds

(A)

In general

A State or local educational agency that receives a grant under this subsection may use grant funds for the voluntary testing described in paragraph (2)(A).

(B)

Limitation

Not more than 5 percent of grant funds accepted under this subsection shall be used to pay the administrative costs of carrying out this subsection.

(5)

Guidance; public availability

As a condition of receiving a grant under this subsection, the State or local educational agency shall ensure that each local educational agency to which grant funds are distributed shall—

(A)

expend grant funds in accordance with—

(i)

the guidance of the Environmental Protection Agency entitled 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools: Revised Technical Guidance and dated October 2006 (or any successor guidance); or

(ii)

applicable State regulations or guidance regarding reducing lead in drinking water in schools and child care programs that is not less stringent than the guidance referred to in clause (i); and

(B)

(i)

make available in the administrative offices, and to the maximum extent practicable, on the Internet website, of the local educational agency for inspection by the public (including teachers, other school personnel, and parents) a copy of the results of any voluntary testing for lead contamination in school and child care program drinking water that is carried out with grant funds under this subsection; and

(ii)

notify parent, teacher, and employee organizations of the availability of the results described in clause (i).

(6)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2017 and each fiscal year thereafter.

(b)

Repeal

Section 1465 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–25) is repealed.

Lead Testing in School and Child Care Drinking Water Act of 2016

Legislative Activity

Bill Text