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H.R. 2094House115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

Lead Free Schools Act of 2017

Sponsored by Josh GottheimerRep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ)
Introduced April 14, 2017

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 2:47 PM UTC

The Lead Free Schools Act of 2017 amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to speed up new drinking‑water rules that protect schools from lead, copper, and other contaminants. It requires the EPA to issue revised lead‑and‑copper regulations within nine months, set goals for per‑ and poly‑fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and 1,4‑dioxane within two years, and adds programs and funding to replace lead service lines and old water fountains in schools.

Key Provisions

  • The EPA must issue updated national primary drinking‑water regulations for lead and copper within nine months of the law’s enactment, including requirements that corrosion controls be re‑evaluated, testing methods not artificially lower lead levels, and that schools be regularly monitored and notified of lead problems.
  • The new rules must require full replacement of all lead service lines controlled by public water systems, regardless of ownership.
  • Within two years, the EPA must set a maximum contaminant level goal and create a primary drinking‑water standard for per‑ and poly‑fluoroalkyl compounds (PFAS).
  • Within two years, the EPA must decide whether to regulate 1,4‑dioxane as a drinking‑water contaminant.
  • The Act adds a definition of “lead service line” as any pipe and fittings that are not lead‑free and connect the water main to a building inlet.
  • A competitive grant pilot program is created, with up to $5 million per year (FY 2018‑2022), to help schools replace drinking‑water fountains made before 1988.
  • Funding for the School Remedial Action Program is increased to $100 million and the program period is shifted to FY 2018‑2022.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.

Environment Subcommittee

April 14, 2017

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

April 14, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

April 14, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.

Environment Subcommittee

April 14, 2017

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued April 14, 2017

I

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2094

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 14, 2017

Mr. Gottheimer (for himself and Mr. Fitzpatrick) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to establish deadlines for promulgation of national primary drinking water regulations for certain contaminants, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Lead Free Schools Act of 2017.

2.

Requirements for regulation of contaminants

Section 1412(b)(2) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300g–1(b)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(D)

Lead and copper rule

(i)

In general

Notwithstanding any other deadline established in this subsection, not later than 9 months after the date of enactment of the Lead Free Schools Act of 2017, the Administrator shall issue revised national primary drinking water regulations for lead and copper.

(ii)

Requirements

The revised regulations issued under clause (i) shall ensure that—

(I)

corrosion controls are reevaluated anytime source water or treatment is changed;

(II)

test results are valid, by prohibiting techniques that artificially lower lead levels, including flushing before samples are taken;

(III)

monitoring includes school sites for all public water systems serving schools (as defined in section 1461);

(IV)

notification of lead problems is clear and effective, including, to the extent practicable, notification, at least annually, of any testing and such problems at school sites on the Internet website of the applicable local educational agency; and

(V)

lead service lines are fully replaced on a set timetable and whenever contamination is detected.

(iii)

Scope of lead line replacement requirements

Requirements to replace lead service lines under the revised regulations issued under clause (i) shall extend to all service lines controlled by public water systems, regardless of ownership.

(E)

Perfluorinated compounds

Notwithstanding any other deadline established in this subsection, not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Lead Free Schools Act of 2017, the Administrator shall publish a maximum contaminant level goal and promulgate a national primary drinking water regulation for perfluorinated compounds.

(F)

1,4-dioxane

Notwithstanding any other deadline established in this subsection, not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Lead Free Schools Act of 2017, the Administrator shall make a determination, pursuant to paragraph (1)(B)(ii), on whether to regulate 1,4-dioxane under this section.

.

3.

Definition of lead service line

(a)

In general

Section 1401 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(17)

Lead service line

The term lead service line means a pipe and its fittings, which are not lead free (as defined in section 1417(d)), that connect the drinking water main to the building inlet.

.

(b)

Conforming amendment

Section 1459B(a) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–19b(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (4).

4.

Competitive grant pilot program for drinking water fountain replacement for schools

(a)

In general

Part F of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–21 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

1465.

Competitive grant pilot program for drinking water fountain replacement for schools

(a)

Establishment

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall establish a competitive pilot grant program to provide assistance to local educational agencies for the replacement of drinking water fountains manufactured prior to 1988.

(b)

Use of funds

Funds awarded under the competitive pilot grant program—

(1)

shall be used to pay the costs of replacement of drinking water fountains in schools; and

(2)

shall be awarded on a competitive basis, as determined by the Administrator.

(c)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section not more than $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022.

.

(b)

Definitions

Section 1461(5) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–21(5)) is amended by inserting or drinking water fountain after water cooler each place it appears.

5.

School remedial action program

Section 1464(d)(7) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–24(d)(7)) is amended—

(1)

by striking $20,000,000 and inserting $100,000,000; and

(2)

by striking 2017 through 2021 and inserting 2018 through 2022.