An Act Requiring Water Bottle Filling Stations in New and Renovated Public Schools
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 0957
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: MILLETT, RAFFERTY, CRAVEN, DODGE, ZAGER, LIBBY
Amends: 20-A MRSA §6308

Legislative Document
No. 957
H.P. 604
House of Representatives, March 2, 2023
An Act Requiring Water Bottle Filling Stations in New and 
Renovated Public Schools
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative MILLETT of Cape Elizabeth.
Cosponsored by Senator RAFFERTY of York and
Representatives: CRAVEN of Lewiston, DODGE of Belfast, ZAGER of Portland, Senator: 
LIBBY of Cumberland.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA §6308 is enacted to read:
§6308.  Water bottle filling stations
1.  Water bottle filling stations.  A newly constructed public school or existing public 
school undergoing substantial renovations must be equipped with a water bottle filling 
station pursuant to this section. For purposes of this section, "water bottle filling station" 
means a water dispenser accessible to all persons in compliance with the federal Americans 
with Disabilities Act of 1990 that dispenses potable drinking water directly into a bottle or 
other drinking container.
2.  Water bottle filling station criteria.  A water bottle filling station:
A.  Must dispense clean, filtered, cooled drinking water;
B.  Must be regularly cleaned to maintain sanitary conditions;
C.  Must be maintained to ensure proper functioning, including replacing the filling 
station's filter as recommended by the manufacturer; 
D.  May be integrated into a drinking fountain, which is considered one water bottle 
filling station under subsection 3; and
E.  May be touchless for sanitary reasons.
3.  Building inspection requirements.  A state or municipal building inspection 
authority may not approve the plans or specifications for a new public school building or 
for any addition or substantial renovations to an existing public school building unless the 
plans and specifications provide for:
A.  A minimum of one water bottle filling station for every 200 people projected to 
occupy the building upon completion of the proposed construction;
B.  A minimum of one water bottle filling station for every floor or wing of the new 
construction; and
C.  A minimum of one water bottle filling station located near a cafeteria, gymnasium, 
outdoor recreation space or other high-traffic area.
4.  Student water bottles.  A public school shall allow a student to possess a water 
bottle in school that:
A.  Is refillable;
B.  Is made of a material that is not easily breakable;
C.  Has a lid or cover to prevent the bottle from spilling; and
D.  Is to be filled and used exclusively for water.
5.  Disciplinary policy.  A school board may enact a disciplinary policy regarding the 
misuse of a water bottle by a school student, employee or staff member.
6.  Rules.  The state board shall adopt rules to carry out the purposes of this section.  
Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules under Title 5, chapter 
375, subchapter 2-A.
SUMMARY
This bill requires new public schools and public schools undergoing renovations to be 
equipped with water bottle filling stations and authorizes students to possess refillable 
water bottles.