State Legislative PFAS Activity: A National Overview
State legislatures have been major drivers of PFAS policy innovation, with over 30 states enacting or advancing PFAS legislation since 2018. State laws on PFAS have covered drinking water standards, product restrictions, disclosure requirements, remediation liability, and environmental justice provisions—often moving faster than federal regulation.
Drinking Water Standards Adopted in 2024–2025
Maine strengthened its PFAS drinking water MCLs to include additional compounds beyond EPA’s six. Vermont updated its MCLs to align with EPA and added groundwater standards for PFAS. North Carolina advanced PFAS drinking water standards following the Cape Fear watershed contamination. California adopted PFAS MCLs more stringent than EPA’s for several compounds in its final 2024 regulatory update.
Product Restriction Laws Enacted
Wisconsin, Rhode Island, and New Mexico enacted PFAS restrictions on cookware and food packaging in 2024 legislative sessions. Washington State expanded its existing PFAS restrictions to cover additional product categories including juvenile products and cosmetics. Several states advanced AFFF phaseout requirements ahead of federal military timelines.
Funding and Remediation Programs
New York’s 2024 environmental bond act includes PFAS remediation as an eligible use of $1.5 billion in environmental funding. Illinois established a PFAS Response Fund using manufacturer settlement proceeds for drinking water treatment assistance. These legislative developments reflect ongoing bipartisan political commitment to PFAS action at the state level