HOUSE BILL NO. 1345

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by the Senate Committee on Education and Health

on __________)

(Patron Prior to Substitute—Delegate Nivar)

A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-141.5 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public schools; indoor air quality; industry-recognized uniform inspection and evaluation.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 22.1-141.5 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 22.1-141.5. Industry-recognized uniform inspection and evaluation.

A. At least once every four years, each local school division shall provide for an industry-recognized uniform inspection and evaluation of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system in each public school building in the local school division. Such inspection and evaluation shall be performed by a certified testing, adjusting, and balancing technician, an industrial hygienist certified by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene, a technician with a Master HVAC License from the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, or a mechanical engineer certified to perform testing, adjusting, and balancing of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems by the Associated Air Balance Council, the National Environmental Balancing Bureau, or the Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Bureau. Such heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems inspection and evaluation shall include:

1. Testing for maximum filter efficiency that includes a recording of the types of filters installed and a recording of the static pressure profile of each filter bank;

2. Physical measurements of outside air delivery rate;

3. Verification of the appropriate condition and operation of ventilation components;

4. Measurement of air distribution system outside air, return air, and supply air and static pressure readings across all air handling unit components, including filters, coils, and fans;

5. Verification of unit operation and that required maintenance has been performed in accordance with the most recent indoor ventilation standards promulgated by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers;

6. Verification of carbon dioxide sensors and acceptable carbon dioxide concentrations indoors. If no functional carbon dioxide sensor is present in a room, the carbon dioxide concentration shall be recorded through a data logger during a period of time when the room is occupied at a typical level during instruction; and

7. Collection of field data for the installation of mechanical ventilation if none exists;

8. Measurement of radon levels in the air, in accordance with subsection B of § 22.1-138 and applicable guidance of the Department of Health;

9. Testing for potential exposures to microbiological airborne particles, including fungi and mold when observable mold growth is present or water incursion is detected;

10. Testing the levels of particulate matter PM2.5 and PM10;

11. Reporting observable signs of pest, rodent, and vermin intrusions and infestations;

12. Testing for levels of carbon monoxide in areas possibly affected by byproducts of incomplete combustion; and

13. Testing for moisture incursion.

B. The portion of the uniform inspection and evaluation required pursuant to subsection A that relates to the ventilation system shall identify the extent to which each school's current ventilation system components, including any existing central or noncentral mechanical ventilation system, are operating in such a manner as to provide appropriate ventilation to the school building in accordance with the most recent indoor ventilation standards promulgated by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.

C. Each local school division shall prepare a written report of the results of the uniform inspection and evaluation required pursuant to subsection A that includes any corrective actions necessary to be performed on the mechanical ventilation system or the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning infrastructure, including installation of filters meeting the most optimal level of filtration available for a given heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, installation of carbon dioxide sensors, and additional maintenance, repairs, upgrades, or replacement. Each local school division shall make such report available for public inspection at a regularly scheduled local school board meeting and on the local school board's public website.

D. No local school division is required to provide for a uniform inspection and evaluation pursuant to subsection A for any school building that will cease to be used as a school within one year of such a planned inspection and evaluation.

2. That the provisions of this act shall become effective on July 1, 2027.