Legislation, P.L.2017, c.86 (A-4284 / S-2675 (Quijano / Diegnan), allowing school districts and non-public schools to receive reimbursement for costs incurred on or after January 1, 2016 for testing school drinking water for lead was signed by the Governor earlier today.
Background
While the annual appropriations act for fiscal year 2016-2017 included a $10 million appropriation to reimburse school districts for testing their drinking water, the budget provision stipulated that the reimbursement would be made pursuant to program requirements to be established by the Department of Education, which would be effective upon filing with the Office of Administrative Law (OAL).
Unfortunately, the Department’s requirements stated that school districts would only be eligible to receive a reimbursement for lead testing performed after July 13, 2016. The new law signed May 11 reverts reimbursement availability to any school district and nonpublic schools who conducted lead testing conducted on or after Jan. 1, 2016 if the lead testing meets or exceeds the program requirements established by the department.
NJPSA supports the measure.