Senate Bill 2445

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 37-7-316, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION FROM APPROVING PLANS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW SCHOOL FACILITIES AND THE SCHOOL BOARD OF ANY SCHOOL DISTRICT FROM APPROVING PLANS FOR THE ADDITION TO OR RENOVATION OF EXISTING FACILITIES, UNLESS THE PLANS PROVIDE FOR A MINIMUM OF TWO WATER BOTTLE FILLING STATIONS IN EACH SCHOOL, A MINIMUM OF ONE DRINKING FOUNTAIN OR FILLING STATION ON EACH FLOOR AND WING OF THE SCHOOL FACILITY, AND A MINIMUM OF ONE WATER FOUNTAIN OR FILLING STATION FOR EVERY 1000 STUDENTS PROJECTED TO ATTEND THE SCHOOL UPON COMPLETION; TO REQUIRE ANY FILLING STATION OR WATER FOUNTAIN TO DISPENSE FILTERED, CLEAN DRINKING WATER; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 37-7-316, Mississippi Code of 1972:

37-7-316. (1) The State Board of Education shall not approve the plans and specifications for the construction of new school facilities and the school board of any school district shall not approve the plans and specifications for the addition to or renovation of old buildings, unless the plans and specifications provide for:

(a) A minimum of two (2) water bottle filling stations in each school;

(b) A minimum of one (1) drinking fountain or water bottle filling station on each floor and wing of each school facility; and

(c) A minimum of one (1) drinking fountain or water bottle filling station for every one hundred (100) students projected to attend the school upon completion of the proposed construction.

(2) Any water bottle filing station in a public-school building shall:

(a) Dispense filtered, clean drinking water;

(b) Be regularly cleaned and maintained; and

(c) Be accompanied by a cup dispenser if there is no drinking fountain on the same floor and wing as the water bottle filling station.

(3) Any drinking fountain installed in a public-school building shall:

(a) Be equipped with a protective cowl;

(b) Be equipped with a waterspout at least one (1) inch above the overflow rim of the drinking fountain;

(d) Be regularly cleaned and maintained.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2020.