2009 -- H 5358

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LC01157

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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2009

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A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

Introduced By: Representative Agostinho F. Silva

Date Introduced: February 10, 2009

Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws entitled "Health and Safety of Pupils is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

16-21-3.2. Procurement and use of environmentally-sensitive cleaning and maintenance products in schools. –

(a) All elementary and secondary schools, whether public, private, parochial, or charter, must use environmentally-sensitive cleaning and maintenance products which minimize the adverse impacts on children's health, safety and the environment.

(b) The commissioner of education shall disseminate to all elementary and secondary schools guidelines and specifications for the purchase and use of environmentally-sensitive cleaning and maintenance products in elementary and secondary schools. The commissioner of education, in consultation with the director of the department of environmental management, shall also prepare and disseminate to all elementary and secondary schools a sample list of environmentally-sensitive cleaning and maintenance products that meet these guidelines or specifications. All elementary and secondary schools shall follow these guidelines, specifications and sample list when purchasing cleaning and maintenance products for use in their facilities. The commissioner of education shall provide assistance and guidance to elementary and secondary schools in carrying out the requirements of this section.

(c) Elementary and secondary schools shall notify their personnel of the availability of the guidelines, specifications and sample list; provided, nothing in this section shall preclude an elementary or secondary school from depleting existing cleaning and maintenance supplies purchased prior to the effective date of this section.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01157

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EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

***This act would require all elementary and secondary schools whether public, private, parochial or charter to use environmentally-sensitive cleaning and maintenance products. This act would also require the commissioner of education to establish guidelines, specifications and a sample list of such environmentally-sensitive cleaning products.

This act would take effect upon passage.