Several state legislatures are considering prohibiting fluoride from being added to their water supplies, with Utah most recently becoming the first state to enact a statewide ban.
Here are seven states weighing legislation to ban fluoride or make it optional, and where these bills stand:
Lawmakers filed legislation in November to repeal a state law requiring fluoride in drinking water. The repeal would allow local voters to decide whether their community should have fluoride in its water.
Senate Bill 2 would remove a section of state statute that currently states: “The company, corporation, municipality, county, government agency, or other entity that owns or controls a water system shall control the quantity of fluoride in the water so as to maintain a fluoride content established by the Department of Health.” The bill ultimately failed in committee.
Senate Bill 4 would allow a city governing body or county quorum court to call an election. If an election did occur, a subsequent election would not be allowed for at least four more years. The bill was referred to the State Agencies and Governmental Affairs committee Jan. 13.
A bill introduced in February that is meant to support Florida’s agriculture would effectively prohibit all public water systems from adding fluoride to their water supplies.
Senate Bill 700, dubbed the “Florida Farm Bill,” aims to support the state’s agriculture and its agricultural workers with a number of measures. It would also prohibit the addition of any non-water quality additives into the public water supply beginning July 1.
The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment and General Government advanced the bill March 26.
A bill in the Kentucky House of Representatives was introduced In January to amend state laws to make water fluoridation programs optional.
HB 16 does not stop local governments from using fluoride in its water, but protects the state from liability over exposure to fluoride.
The bill was referred to the Health Services committee March 4.
Nebraska Sen. Ben Hansen introduced a bill in January that would remove a mandate requiring certain communities in the state to add fluoride to their water supply.
Communities with more than 1,000 residents have been required to fluoridate their water since 2008. Sen. Hansen is pushing for water fluoridation to become optional instead.
The bill was sent to the state’s Health and Human Services Committee in March for consideration.
Rep. Levi Dean introduced a bill that would ban fluoride from being added to public water supplies in the state March 18. The bill was referred to the state’s Natural Resources Committee March 26.
Senate Bill 162 was introduced Jan. 16 to prohibit water fluoridation in the state. The bill was referred to the Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee Jan. 27.
Senate Bill 2653 was introduced March 13 to prohibit fluoride from being added to public water supplies in the state. If enacted, the ban would go into effect Sept. 1, and would result in $500 fines for people who violate the ban. A $1,000 fine would be added for each subsequent violation.