SB318 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Donnie ChesteenSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Schools, public K-12, require public schools to install water bottle filling stations in schools, State Board of Education required to adopt rules and enforce

Summary

SB318 would require Alabama public K-12 schools to install water bottle filling stations and have the State Board of Education set rules to enforce them.

What This Bill Does

It would require public K-12 schools to install water bottle filling stations in existing facilities where adding more drinking water stations would be required after June 6, 2020, and in facilities built after that date. It sets minimum placement: at least one filling station per floor, one in each food service area, one in each gym, and one in each outdoor learning or activity area. Stations must be regularly cleaned and maintained, and students may not be prohibited from bringing a clear water bottle; the State Board of Education would adopt rules to implement and enforce the provisions; the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it passes and is approved by the Governor.

Who It Affects

• Public K-12 schools and school districts in Alabama must install, maintain, and comply with the new water bottle filling station requirements.
• Students and staff in public K-12 schools will have access to cooled, filtered drinking water via filling stations and may bring clear water bottles to school.

Key Provisions

• Definition: a water bottle filling station is a water fountain that dispenses clean filtered drinking water cooled for filling bottles.
• Applicability: applies to existing facilities where changes would be required after June 6, 2020, and to facilities constructed after that date.
• Placement requirements: at least one filling station per floor, at least one in each food service area, at least one in each gym, and at least one in each outdoor learning or activity area.
• Maintenance and use: stations must be regularly cleaned and maintained; students may not be prohibited from bringing a clear water bottle to school.
• Rules and enforcement: the State Board of Education must adopt rules to implement and enforce the provisions.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it passes and is approved by the Governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Schools