By Bob Katzen

The Senate 38-0 approved an amendment that would create a $15 million grant program, administered by the Department of Environmental Protection in consultation with the Executive Office of Education, to ensure access to clean drinking water in public schools and childcare centers across the state.

Funds may be used for improvements to drinking water infrastructure to address lead, PFAS and other contaminants; removal of contaminated or outdated water outlets; and to purchase, install and maintain filtered water stations and filtered faucets.

“I filed the amendment to address the public health threat facing the commonwealth’s children due to the presence of lead in our school water infrastructure because no amount of lead exposure is safe,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem).

(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.)

Sen. Patricia Jehlen Yes