FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1365

C 257 L 01

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Establishing a statewide infant and children product safety campaign.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Children & Family Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Doumit, Pflug, Tokuda, Boldt, Pennington, Rockefeller, Hatfield, Eickmeyer, Campbell, Edwards, Cairnes, Murray, Cody, Jackley, Mastin, Kirby, Buck, Kessler, Chopp, McIntire, Grant, Morris, Lisk, Ruderman, Van Luven, Kenney, Conway, Kagi and Schual‑Berke).

House Committee on Children & Family Services

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Health & Long‑Term Care

Background:

The United States Consumer Products Safety Commission maintains an Internet website listing all recalled products.  Included on the website is a category for infant and child products.

The Department of Health has one staff person who is designated by the United States Consumer Products Safety Commission as its state contact.  The agency and the local health jurisdictions receive press releases from the commission related to recalls and recommended product modifications.    

The Washington State Library maintains a website for consumers that provides search capability of over 70 recommended consumer protection sites.  The site also highlights specific product recalls.  The website is sponsored by the Office of the Attorney General, Department of Ecology, Department of Social and Health Services, Liquor Control Board, North Central Educational Service  District, Office of the Governor, and the Utilities and Transportation Commission.

The Infant Crib Safety Act requires 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.  The act requires the Department of Health 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.

Summary:

The Department of Health may develop and maintain a product safety education campaign. The campaign must focus on unsafe infant and child products (excluding toys) that have been recalled by the United States Consumer Products Safety Commission, that do not meet federal safety regulations and voluntary safety standards, or that are illegal to place into the stream of commerce under the state=s Infant Crib Safety Act.

The target population for the campaign includes parents, foster parents, and other caregivers, child care workers, resale stores, and charities and government entities serving children and families.

The DOH must coordinate any campaign with other child-serving entities, such as pediatricians and obstetricians and relevant manufacturers, and with other agencies to avoid duplication of effort.  The DOH may receive funding from private and government sources to implement the program.

Votes on Final Passage:

House980

Senate460(Senate amended)

House930(House concurred)

Effective:  July 22, 2001