Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Children & Family Services

HB 1365

Brief Description:  Requiring the department of health to publicize a list of recalled infant and child products.

Sponsors:  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.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Department of Health (DOH) is required to monitor infant and child product recalls, excluding toys, announced by the United States Consumer Products Safety Commission.

$DOH is required to produce, advertise and distribute a brochure listing recalled infant and child products for the most recent fifteen years.

Hearing Date:  2/1/01

Staff:  Deborah Frazier (786‑7152).

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 (DOH) has one staff person who is designated by the United States Consumer Products Safety Commission as their 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 seventy 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.

Summary of Bill: 

The Department of Health (DOH) is required to monitor infant and child product recalls, excluding toys, announced by the United States Consumer Products Safety Commission.

The DOH is required to produce and advertise a brochure listing recalled infant and child products for the most recent fifteen years, and to distribute the brochures to various infant and child serving entities and organizations.

The department is instructed to coordinate with other agencies and entities to reach the target population for the brochures, and to eliminate duplication in these efforts.

The department may seek funding for this effort from private sources.

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

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.