Organisation: Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives – Select Committee Services

On behalf of: Health Committee

For release: 8 December 2016

Bill aims to give District Health Boards the power to make decisions about the fluoridation of drinking water

Public submissions are now open on the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Bill being considered by the Health Committee.

The bill gives District Health Boards (DHBs) the power to make decisions and give directions about the fluoridation of local government drinking water supplies. Territorial local authorities are currently responsible for these decisions.

When deciding whether to fluoridate water, DHBs will be required to consider scientific evidence, the financial costs and savings, local oral health status, and population numbers.

The bill also proposes two provisions which make it an offence for a local government drinking water supplier to:

• not comply with DHB directions on whether to fluoridate the drinking water supply

• discontinue fluoridating the water supply, unless directed to by the DHB.

Tell the Health Committee what you think

Send your submission on the new bill by midnight on Thursday 2 February 2017.

For more details about the bill, visit:

• Read the contents of the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Bill

ENDS

© Scoop Media