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History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Companion bill
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Authorizes the study of adverse effects of heavy backpacks and book bags on elementary school children
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Dennis H. Gabryszak
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act authorizing the commissioner of the state education department to conduct a study and report on the adverse health effects of heavy backpacks and book bags on elementary school children
Purpose
To initiate a study by the Commissioner of Education spelling out the adverse health effects on young children resulting from the daily carrying of heavy backpacks and book bags.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of this legislation states the Legislative findings and purpose, including a statement of known facts surrounding heavy book bags; testimony offered by medical professionals regarding injuries, safe weight levels for backpacks; and facts surrounding injuries sustained by young children as a result of carrying heavy book bags.
Section 2 authorizes the Commissioner of Education to prepare a study of the adverse effects of carrying heavy backpacks, including a report on the prevalence of such effects; the feasibility of addressing these effects; and conclusions made by the Commissioner.
Section 3 provides that such a study should be prepared within one year of the effective date of this act and requires transmission to specific government entities.
Existing law
There are presently no laws, statutes or regulations governing the weight of a child's book bag or backpack.
Justification
It has been reported that some elementary and secondary school pupils often carry backpacks weighing forty pounds or more, given that they may be carrying textbooks, binders, calculators, personal computers, lunches, a change of clothing, sports equipment and more. As a result of the daily carrying of these items, many students have been experiencing health problems, including spinal column injuries, non traumatic back pain and significant postural changes from overloaded backpacks.
Chiropractors and pediatricians recommend that backpacks not exceed more than 15 percent of a pupil's body weight.
In 1999, more than 3,400 pupils between 5 and 14 years of age, inclusive, sought treatment in hospital emergency rooms for injuries related to backpacks or book bags according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. We must determine if in fact a similar proportion of our students are experiencing, or have experienced, physical problems as a result of carrying heavy book bags.
Furthermore, advice is being sought on what steps can be taken to lessen the incidents of book bag related injuries, and what input the state government, school districts, parents and parent groups should have on this issue.
Legislative history
2003-04: S.944 No action. 2005-06: S.1406 Referred to Education 2007-08: S.2755 Referred to Education
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Local fiscal implications
None known.
Effective date
180 days after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.