The ACLU-CT believes that all children deserve access to education in buildings where children can thrive and have their basic health needs met with potable drinking water, functioning air conditioning, and proper ventilation. Because of systemic racism and systemic inequity, the students who do not have access to these basic necessities are most often kids from low-income families and kids of color. House Bill 6761 is an important measure in addressing the racial and income disparities in the quality of drinking water in schools. The bill requires local and regional boards of education to conduct tests of drinking water supply and locations in all school facilities and provides an avenue for schools whose water systems do not live up to standards to obtain a grant to remediate its infrastructure.
