Rhode Island § 46-32-4 - PFAS in Drinking Water, Groundwater, and Surface Waters

§ 46-32-4. Standard for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances as a class or subclass.

(a) If the director of the department of health decides to publish a notice pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b)(1) of this section then on or before February 1, 2024, the director of the department of health shall initiate a public notice and comment process by publishing a copy of the final rules and an advance notice of proposed rulemaking pursuant to § 42-35-2.5 regarding the regulation under the rules and regulations pertaining to public drinking water of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as a class or subclasses.

(b) On or before September 1, 2024, the director of the department of health shall either:

(1) Publish a notice of proposed rulemaking regarding the regulation of PFAS compounds under the rules and regulations pertaining to public drinking water as a class or subclasses; or

(2) Publish a notice of decision not to regulate PFAS compounds as a class or subclasses under the rules and regulations pertaining to public drinking water that includes, at a minimum, an identification of all legal, technical, or other impediments to regulating PFAS compounds as a class or subclasses and a detailed response to all public comments received.

(c) If the director of the department of health proposes a rule pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the director of the department of health shall file under § 42-35-4 a final rule with the secretary of state regarding the regulation of PFAS compounds as a class or subclasses under the rules and regulations pertaining to public drinking water on or before June 30, 2025.