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History
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to health
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to health
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Relates to requiring that information be made available to parents regarding window blind safety
In Senate Committee · Health · Sponsor John T. McDonald III
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S5466
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring that information be made available to parents regarding window blind safety
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill would require the information be made available to parents regarding window blind safety and the potential fatal consequences from strangulation posed by window blinds.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 provides for the production of a sufficient number of informational pamphlets to ensure that every pediatrician In the state will be able to provide such pamphlet to parents during a child's six month appointment.
Section 2 provides that the pamphlet referenced in section 1 will include information regarding the danger, specifically the risk of strangulation, posed by window blinds to children.
Section 3 provides the effective date.
Justification
In recent years, there have been a number of tragic stories of young children being strangled to death after becoming entangled in the chords of window blinds. The federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has estimated that, since 1982, there have been at least 200 children that have died from strangulation associated with corded window coverings. Those most at risk are children between the ages of 1 and 3, who have some mobility but are still unable to fully control their motor functions.
According to the emergency department-treated injury data (NEISS), CPSC estimates that from 1996 to 2012, children received treatment for 1,590 injuries resulting from entanglements on window covering cords. The ages of the injured ranged from 14 months to eight years. Based on the deaths reported, 65% were 5-year-olds and 35% were 3-year-olds. The hospitalizations occurred among 1-year-olds (59%), 4-year-olds (38%), and 3-year-olds (3%).
When window cords are accessible to small children, these seemingly harmless products may become strangulation hazards. This is especially important with older window coverings that may not meet the latest national standard for window cord safety. This legislation seeks to educate parents by requiring that information be made available to parents by pediatric primary care providers regarding window blind safety. Such information will include proper installation of blinds, examples of current national standards and the fatal consequences from strangulation posed by window blinds.
Prior legislative history
None
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.