Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 5123

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Environmental Protection

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-09-03: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2026-07-03T08:06:35Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act of 2025 aims to establish a national program led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assess, reduce, and prevent exposure to harmful indoor air contaminants. This focuses on protecting human health, particularly in schools, childcare facilities, workplaces, and residences, by promoting research, guidelines, education, and voluntary standards while addressing climate change effects and equity for disadvantaged communities.

Key Provisions

• Definitions (Section 2): Defines key terms, including "indoor air contaminant" (any substance in indoor air that could harm health, such as particles or gases), "indoor contaminant of concern" (common or high-risk ones like particulate matter or radon), and covered entities like schools, childcare facilities, and states (including territories and Tribes).

• Indoor Air Quality Program (Section 3): Directs the EPA Administrator to implement a comprehensive program supporting research, training, outreach, and technical assistance. This includes monitoring, ventilation improvements, mold prevention, interagency coordination (e.g., with Departments of Labor, Energy, Health and Human Services), and equity-focused support for low-income and disadvantaged groups. It builds on the 1986 Radon Gas and Indoor Air Quality Research Act.

• Guidelines for Indoor Contaminants of Concern (Section 4): Requires the EPA to create and maintain a list of priority contaminants (initially including particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, formaldehyde, and radon) within 5 years. Publish voluntary, science-based guidelines for each, including health-based concentration limits where evidence exists, best practices for buildings, cost assessments, and interim measures if data is insufficient. Guidelines must be reviewed every 5 years and align with workplace and energy regulations, with input from experts.

• Indoor Air Quality Index (Section 5): Mandates the EPA to commission a National Academy of Sciences study within 1 year to evaluate creating a public-friendly index for indoor air quality, considering health risks to sensitive groups (e.g., children, elderly), low-cost sensors, and updates based on science. A report with recommendations is due within 2 years; $1 million authorized.

• Indoor Air Quality Assistance (Section 6): Allows EPA grants and technical aid to states, locals, Tribes, schools, housing authorities, and nonprofits for education, monitoring, mitigation (including climate-related risks), and adopting guidelines. Federal funding covers up to 75% of costs.

• Healthy Building Certifications (Section 7): Establishes voluntary EPA-recognized certifications for buildings that follow guidelines and maintain air quality plans. Can be administered by EPA or third parties, rewarding improvements in ventilation and filtration.

• Model Provisions for Building Design, Operation, and Maintenance (Section 8): Requires EPA to recommend model building code provisions within 1 year, covering ventilation, filtration, and contaminant control, while aligning with energy standards. Reviewed every 3 years; includes cost-benefit analysis for new homes and commercial buildings.

• Healthy Schools (Section 9): Directs a national assessment of air quality in schools and childcare facilities within 3 years (updated every 5 years), using surveys or sampling, with an advisory group input. Provides tailored guidance, training, and certifications; coordinates federal aid with other agencies to ensure consistency.

• Relation to Other Law (Section 10): Clarifies the Act does not override state, federal, or local laws, including occupational safety rules under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

• Authorization of Appropriations (Section 11): Authorizes $100 million annually from fiscal years 2026–2030 for most activities (excluding the index study).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill expands the EPA's authority beyond the 1986 Radon Gas and Indoor Air Quality Research Act by mandating a broader program for multiple contaminants, not just radon. It introduces new requirements for contaminant lists, health-based guidelines with concentration limits, a potential air quality index, voluntary certifications, model building codes, and specific focus on schools/childcare with national assessments. It emphasizes climate resilience and equity, which were not central in prior laws, while ensuring consistency with energy and workplace regulations without creating mandatory standards.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Increases EPA workload for research, guidelines, assessments, and coordination with agencies like Energy, Education, and Health and Human Services; may require new resources for grants and certifications. States, locals, and Tribes gain tools for implementation but face potential costs for adoption.

• Citizens: Improves public health by reducing exposure to contaminants, especially in vulnerable settings like schools and homes, potentially lowering risks of respiratory issues, allergies, and other illnesses. Benefits disadvantaged communities through targeted assistance; promotes awareness via education and an index for better decision-making.

• International Relations: No direct impacts mentioned; focuses on domestic building and health standards.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal Agencies: EPA (lead role), plus Departments of Energy, Education, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Defense, and others for coordination.
• State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Recipients of grants and technical aid; responsible for adopting guidelines into codes and programs.
• Educational and Childcare Entities: Local educational agencies, schools, childcare facilities, and Tribal education agencies benefit from assessments, certifications, and support to protect students and staff.
• Building Owners/Operators and Industry: Commercial, residential, and public building managers; construction and HVAC sectors through model codes and certifications.
• Public and Vulnerable Groups: General population, especially children, elderly, pregnant individuals, workers, low-income communities, and Tribes, via health protections and equity measures.
• Nonprofits, Labor, and Experts: Involved in consultations, training, and program development.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Emphasizes voluntary guidelines and certifications to avoid regulatory overreach, explicitly preserving state/local authority and not preempting existing laws. Aligns with federalism by supporting (not mandating) adoption; avoids Occupational Safety and Health Act conflicts by limiting EPA's workplace enforcement.

• Constitutional: No apparent challenges; promotes equal protection through equity provisions for disadvantaged groups without infringing on rights. Relies on Congress's commerce clause authority for environmental health programs.

• Political: Bipartisan introduction (by Reps. Tonko and Fitzpatrick) signals broad appeal for public health and education. Authorizes significant funding ($500 million over 5 years), potentially sparking debates on federal spending and EPA expansion, but voluntary nature may reduce opposition. Highlights climate adaptation, aligning with broader environmental policies.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]

Cosponsors (23)

Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Morrison, Kelly [D-MN-3], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17], Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11]

Recent Actions

• 2025-09-03: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-09-03: Introduced in House
• 2025-09-03: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-03 — PDF (24 pages)