Current Legislative Efforts
Connecticut - Bill Proposed to overturn Preemption Law
The Connecticut General Assembly is considering a bill to overturn the state's preemption laws and allow municipalities to ban and regulate the use of lawn care pesticides. If the bill is passed, Connecticut will join the other 9 states that allow cities and towns to ban the use of pesticides on private property.
Click here to go the the Connecticut General Assembly Website to read the text of the bill and its current status.
If you live in Connecticut, please contact your Mayor and ask them to support bill S.B. 244. Mayors and First Selectman will need to provide either written testimony or show up to voice their opinion and those testifying will need to bring 50 copies of their written testimony with them. There is no maximum length for testimony; however there will only be 3 minutes allotted to speak.
New Jersey S2610 The "Safe Playing Fields Act"
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: JUNE 16, 2011
The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2610 (1R), with committee amendments.
As amended, this bill would be known as the “Safe Playing Fields Act,” and would restrict the use of lawn care pesticides on the grounds of any child care center, school, playground, and recreational field in the State.
The bill would prohibit the use of lawn care pesticides on the grounds of any school, except as an emergency response to an immediate threat to human health, as determined by school officials, in consultation with the local health officer, as appropriate. The bill would also prohibit the use of lawn care pesticides on playgrounds and recreational fields, except as an emergency response to an immediate threat to human health, as determined by the municipal or county governing body in consultation with the local health officer, as appropriate, or by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, as applicable. The bill would additionally prohibit pesticide use on the grounds of any child care center, except as an emergency response to an immediate threat to human health, and would restrict child access to pesticide treated areas for at least seven hours after the application.
The bill would direct the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, to adopt rules and regulations concerning pesticide application, record keeping, and staff and parental notification procedures at child care centers with the goal of mitigating potential health risks to young children.
The bill defines a “lawn care pesticide” as any pesticide labeled, designed, or intended for use on lawns, gardens, turf or ornamental plantings. Under the bill, a “school” includes both public and private schools and applies to all schools under college grade.
COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:
The committee amendments would make the bill effective beginning two years after the date of enactment of this bill into law. The committee amendments further clarify that for any emergency pesticide application for a school, playground, or recreational field, a local health officer would be consulted as appropriate.
