Read the full stored bill text
2026 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE BILL NO. 4
BY SENATOR FESI AND REPRESENTATIVES AMEDEE, COATES, CREWS,
DICKERSON, EDMONSTON, JACKSON, MACK, OWEN AND
VENTRELLA
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 40:5.11 (B)(1) and (3), the introductory paragraph of 5.11(B)(4),
3 and 5.11(G), relative to public water systems; to allow local governments to vote to
4 exempt public water systems from fluoridation requirements; to provide for an
5 effective date; and to provide for related matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 40:5.11(B)(1) and (3), the introductory paragraph of 5.11(B)(4), and
8 5.11(G) are hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
9 §5.11. Water fluoridation program
10 * * *
11 B.(1) Each public water system that has at least five thousand service
12 connections and natural levels of fluoride that are outside the optimal range
13 established in the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this Section shall acquire,
14 install, operate, and maintain appropriate equipment and material in order to
15 maintain the level of fluoride in its water system in the optimal range for the purpose
16 of protecting the dental health of citizens of this state, as established in the rules and
17 regulations adopted pursuant to this Section.
18 * * *
19 (3) No public water system shall be required to comply with Paragraph (1)
20 of this Subsection unless sufficient funds have been identified by the state, whether
21 by appropriation, capital outlay, grants, or similar means or source of funds, as
22 available to that system for the cost of acquiring and installing fluoridation
23 equipment and the cost of material required to fluoridate said system for at least six
24 months from the date of initial installation.
25 (4) A public water system that has never used fluoridation to adjust fluoride
26 levels in its water and whose water contains fluoride in amounts outside the range
ACT No. 731
Page 1 of 2
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
SB NO. 4 ENROLLED
1 established in the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this Section as optimal
2 for the purpose of protecting the dental health of the citizenry shall be exempt from
3 compliance with Paragraph (1) of this Subsection provided all of the following
4 apply:
5 * * *
6 G. The office of public health, through the department Louisiana
7 Department of Health, shall promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with
8 the Administrative Procedure Act relating to the fluoridation of public water
9 systems, including but not limited to maintaining levels of fluoride in public water
10 systems within the optimal range for the purpose of protecting the oral health of the
11 citizens of this state.
12 Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
13 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
14 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
15 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
16 effective on the day following such approval.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED:
Page 2 of 2
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.