Brief Description: Preventing serious injury and strangulation from window blind cords or other significant safety hazards in child care settings.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Early Learning & Children's Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Dickerson, Kagi, Hunter, O'Brien and Ericks).

House Committee on Early Learning & Children's Services
Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education
Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections
Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Background:

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death resulting from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. The CPSC makes available updated publications regarding products that have been recalled or deemed unsafe for consumers to use.

Since 1991, the CPSC has received reports of 174 strangulations involving cords on window blinds: 152 strangulations involved the outer pull cords, which raise and lower the blind, and 22 involved the inner cords that run through the blind slats. The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC), in cooperation with the CPSC, recalled millions of window blinds with pull cords and inner cords capable of forming a loop and causing strangulation. Window covering manufacturers also have produced redesigned products to reduce cord hazards.

The Department of Early Learning (DEL) is responsible for establishing the minimum child care licensing requirements related to the safety of child care premises. Licensed child care providers must maintain the building, equipment, and premises in a safe manner to protect children from injury.

In early December 2005, Jaclyn Frank, an 18-month-old baby girl from Washington, got caught in the cords of a window blind at a licensed family daycare home and died from strangulation.

Summary:

A safety requirement for child care licensing is added to address the safety of corded window coverings. Window blinds or other window coverings with pull cords or inner cords capable of forming a loop and posing a risk of strangulation are prohibited in licensed child care facilities. Window blinds and other coverings manufactured or properly retrofitted for safety are not prohibited.

The DEL must consider publications of the CPSC when developing and reviewing the minimum licensing requirements related to the safety of child care settings. The DEL may provide child care providers with information regarding reduced or no-cost options for retrofitting or replacing unsafe window blinds or coverings.

The act will be known and cited as the Jaclyn Frank Act.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   95   1
Senate   42   3   (Senate amended)
House   94   1   (House concurred)

Effective: July 22, 2007