Section 1597.16.
Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 1597.16.
in effect(a)
(1)
A licensed child day care center, as defined in Section 1596.76, that is located in a building that was constructed before January 1, 2010, shall have its drinking water tested for lead contamination levels on or after January 1, 2020, but no later than January 1, 2023, and every five years after the date of the initial test.
(2)
(A)
A licensed child day care center subject to paragraph (1) shall collect and submit drinking water samples to a laboratory accredited pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 100825) of Chapter 4 of Part 1 of Division 101. A laboratory receiving a drinking water sample pursuant to this paragraph shall, in a timely manner, electronically submit its test
results to the State Water Resources Control Board using lead data submission methods that are acceptable to the State Water Resources Control Board. If the test results show elevated lead levels, the State Water Resources Control Board shall, in a timely manner, report the results for the affected licensed child day care center to the department.
(B)
The State Water Resources Control Board shall do both of the following:
(i)
Notify the department if there is a change to the recommended action level for lead in water.
(ii)
Post all test results received pursuant to subparagraph (A) on its Internet Web site in a timely manner. The posted test results shall be readily accessible to the public.
(3)
Upon notification of elevated lead levels, an affected
licensed child day care center shall immediately make inoperable and cease using the fountains and faucets where elevated lead levels may exist and shall obtain a potable source of water for children and staff at that location. Any licensed child day care center that fails to take that action is subject to the temporary suspension of their license pursuant to Section 1596.886.
(4)
A licensed day care center shall notify the parents or legal guardians of children enrolled in the day care center of the requirement to test a facility’s drinking water and of the test results.
(b)
(1)
The department shall, in consultation with the State Water Resources Control Board, adopt regulations for the implementation of the requirements of this section no later than January 1, 2021. The regulations shall include requirements to ensure the collection and submission of valid
water samples.
(2)
In adopting regulations under this section, the department shall include a public stakeholder process.
(3)
Notwithstanding the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department may implement and administer the changes made by this section through all-county letters or similar written instructions until regulations are adopted.
References
referencesCal. Government Code - GOV § 11340.
referencesCal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 1596.76.
referencesCal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 100825.
referencesCal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 1596.886.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026