What's happening
Brendan's Law requires new or replacement cordless window coverings in child care centers and similar facilities to improve child safety.
Why it matters
Sets clear definitions for what qualifies as a “cordless window covering,”. including technical specifics on types of blinds and mechanisms that are considered safe (e.g., no draw cords, enclosed lift cords, or use of wands), helping facilities understand exactly what products comply with the law and why.
Creates a phased approach to implementation. New or replacement window coverings in specified child-serving facilities must be cordless or have inaccessible cords, while existing window coverings must at least meet current industry safety standards (ANSI/WCMA A 100.1-2012), encouraging gradual but comprehensive risk reduction.
Empowers regulatory agencies to enforce compliance. If a facility fails to upgrade older window coverings to required safety standards, agencies can mandate the installation of fully cordless or otherwise compliant coverings, increasing accountability and prioritizing child safety.
Targets environments with vulnerable populations (excluding foster homes and in-home daycares). By focusing on facilities where groups of children are cared for, the law addresses locations where the risk of accidental entanglement or strangulation from window cords is highest, potentially preventing serious injuries or fatalities.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Cordless Blinds for Kids
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
8 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to rules
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.308
- Rules report cal.308
- Reported
- Reported referred to rules
- Print number 320a
- Amend and recommit to codes
- Referred to codes
- Reported referred to rules
- Reported referred to codes
Show 1 earlier action
- Referred to children and families
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.
Require Cordless Blinds for Kids
In Senate Committee · Rules · Sponsor Martin J. Golden
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
320--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 5, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. L. ROSENTHAL, DINOWITZ, GUNTHER, WEPRIN, BUCHWALD, JAFFEE, FAHY, SEPULVEDA -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ARROYO, COOK, ENGLEBRIGHT, MAGEE, PERRY -- read once and referred to the Committee on Children and Families -- reported and referred to the Committee on Codes -- recommitted to the Committee on Codes in accordance with Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT in relation to establishing Brendan's law; and to amend the social services law, in relation to requiring cordless window coverings in child day care centers, public institutions for children and certain other facilities
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as "Brendan's Law".
§ 2. The social services law is amended by adding a new section 390-l to read as follows:
§ 390-l. Cordless window coverings required. 1. For purposes of this section the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
(a) "Beaded chain" means a series of small spheres, equally spaced on a cord or connected by metal shafts used to raise and lower a window covering.
(b) "Cord loop" means a curving or doubling of a beaded chain or cord to form a closed loop.
(c) "Cordless window covering" means:
(i) a horizontal blind or cellular shade that has no draw cord and the internal lift cord runs in the slats of the horizontal blind so that the cord is incapable of forming a loop greater than 7.25 inches;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01713-04-8
A. 320--A 2
(ii) a Roman shade, roll-up blind, or woven shade that has no draw cord and the lift cord is completely enclosed so that it is not accessible;
(iii) a vertical blind that has a wand as its operating mechanism and does not contain any beaded chains, corded pulleys, or other cord loop operating mechanisms; and
(iv) a roller shade that does not contain a cord or beaded chain.
(d) "Draw cord" means any form of rope, strap, or string used to raise or lower a window covering.
(e) "Internal lift cord" means a cord that is contained inside the body and rails of the blind or shade.
(f) "Wand" means a rod used to:
(i) rotate a vertical blind; or
(ii) tilt a horizontal blind.
2. Any agency boarding home, group home, child day care center, public institution for children, or any authorized agency not including a foster home, family day care center or group family day care center installing new or replacement window coverings shall install cordless window coverings or window coverings with inaccessible operational and inner cords.
3. Any agency boarding home, group home, child day care center, or public institution for children or any authorized agency not including a foster home, family day care center or group family day care center that has window coverings in place prior to the effective date of this section, shall meet the requirements of ANSI/WCMA A 100.1-2012 or any successor standard thereto, including standards for:
(a) Roman shades, roll-up shades, woven shades, and all window coverings with exposed and unsecured cords;
(b) horizontal blinds, cellular shades, and all window coverings that have draw cords for their operation; and
(c) vertical blinds and other window covering products with loops utilized in their operation.
4. If a person fails to comply with the requirements of subdivision three of this section, the authorized agency may require replacement of existing window coverings with cordless window coverings or window coverings with inaccessible operational and inner cords.
§ 3. This act shall take effect twenty-four months after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.