AUGUSTA, Maine (AP)   A Maine legislative committee has voted to endorse a bill that would require all schools in Maine to periodically test for lead in drinking water.

The Health and Human Services Committee voted 7-3 to endorse the bill, which would direct the state Department of Health and Human Services to develop rules and water-testing protocols that would apply to the roughly 800 K-12 schools in the state. The Portland Press Herald reports the bill has the support of multiple organizations, including the Maine Education Association.

Current law requires about 300 schools that draw water from wells to test for lead at least once every three years; however the law exempts schools served by water utilities.

The bill now goes to the full state House and Senate for consideration.