SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 988

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 5, 2024

     The Senate Education Committee favorably reports Senate Bill No. 988.

     This bill requires the Department of Education (DOE) and the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to establish online reporting systems for schools and child care centers to report lead testing results electronically.

     Under the bill each school and child care center required pursuant to law or regulation to test for lead is required to submit or resubmit its test results and any other required information through the online reporting system within 90 days after establishment of the databases.  The bill also requires the DOE and DCF to compile the test results on their respective Internet websites for access by the public.  Finally, the bill requires both departments to prepare and submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature outlining the extent of lead contamination in the drinking water of schools and child care centers, the associated need for assistance with remediation activities, and recommendations for how the State can assist schools and child care centers with remediating lead in drinking water.

     This bill stems from recommendations in the Joint Legislative Task Force on Drinking Water Infrastructure’s final report, released in January 2018.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.