Prohibits the application of lawn care pesticides on the grounds of any public or private pre-school or public or private school with students in grade twelve (12) or lower, except in an emergency situation.
Impact
This legislation is set to amend the existing pesticide control laws in Rhode Island, aiming to enhance the health and safety of students by reducing their exposure to hazardous substances commonly found in lawn care pesticides. The bill mandates that all pesticide applications at schools must follow set regulations, which include notifying parents and guardians in advance of any planned pesticide applications, thereby promoting transparency and safety for children.
Summary
House Bill H7359 is focused on the control and application of pesticides within educational environments in Rhode Island. The bill specifically prohibits the application of lawn care pesticides on the grounds of any public or private pre-school or school with students in grade twelve or lower, effective July 1, 2024. Exceptions to this prohibition are made for emergency situations where a pest poses an immediate threat to human health, as well as for applications aligned with an integrated pest management (IPM) plan developed by the appropriate state departments.
Contention
Points of contention surrounding H7359 relate primarily to the balance between maintaining school safety from pests and the practical challenges of restricting pesticide use in school facilities. Critics may argue that strict application prohibitions could lead to pest management challenges, jeopardizing upkeep and hygiene standards. However, proponents of the bill emphasize the need to prioritize student health and advocate for safer alternatives, citing the dangers of widely used chemicals like glyphosate.
Additional_provisions
In addition to the pesticide application restrictions, H7359 establishes a task force aimed at investigating the health risks associated with poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in artificial athletic fields. This provision reflects a growing concern about environmental health issues and the potential exposure of students to harmful chemicals, furthering the bill's emphasis on safeguarding children’s health in educational settings.