SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6229

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

           Health & Long-Term Care, February 2, 1996

Title:  An act relating to infant crib safety.

Brief Description:  Enacting the infant crib safety act.

Sponsors:  Senators Kohl, Pelz, Prentice, Fairley, Thibaudeau, Wojahn, Franklin and Quigley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long-Term Care:  1/26/96, 2/2/96 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6229 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Quigley, Chair; Wojahn, Vice Chair; Deccio, Fairley, Franklin, Moyer, Thibaudeau, Winsley and Wood.

Staff:  Wendy Saunders (786-7439)

Background:  Nationally, more than 13,000 children are injured in crib accidents every year.  Each year since 1991 at least five children have died in Washington State because of unsafe cribs.  Accidents caused by unsafe cribs result in injuries and death that cost more than $235 million per year.

Most crib injuries and deaths occur in secondhand, hand-me-down or heirloom cribs.  It is estimated that as many as three out of four children are placed in these secondhand, hand-me-down or heirloom cribs.

There are currently federal safety regulations that apply to new cribs.  Most cribs built since 1990 meet voluntary standards set by the crib industry in 1988.

There is concern that safety standards do not apply to most cribs, which are the only furniture designed for the purpose of leaving a child unobserved or unattended.  It is suggested that many unintentional injuries could be avoided by requiring that all cribs comply with existing safety standards.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Legislature finds that the deaths and injuries that result from crib accidents are a public health threat.  Any crib that is sold, leased, manufactured or otherwise placed into the stream of commerce must comply with federal safety regulations and voluntary industry safety standards.

Cribs that are not clearly not intended to be used for an infant are exempt if accompanied by a notice.  Commercial users are exempt from liability if they provide the required notice.

The Department of Health is required to make materials on crib safety available to the public and to encourage public and private collaboration in distributing materials about crib safety to parents, child care providers, and those who sell cribs.

Hotels, motels, and child care facilities are not required to comply with these standards until January 1, 1999.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Cribs that are not clearly not intended to be used for an infant are exempt from the provisions of the bill if accompanied by a notice.  Commercial users are exempt from liability if they provide the required notice.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Too many children are needlessly hurt or killed by unsafe cribs.  Parents are not aware that these cribs are unsafe.  California passed this law last year to remove unsafe cribs from the community.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Kohl, prime sponsor.