The passage of A3865 would significantly alter the landscape of infant care products available in New Jersey. By prohibiting the sale of crib bumpers, the bill addresses safety concerns that have been raised about their potential hazards to infants, such as suffocation and entrapment. Should this bill be enacted, it ensures that licensed child care centers will be required to remove any existing crib bumpers from their premises, reinforcing an overall commitment to child safety in all environments where infants are cared for.
Summary
Assembly Bill A3865, introduced in New Jersey, aims to ban the sale of crib bumpers by declaring them unsafe children's products under the state's Consumer Fraud Act (CFA). The bill specifically defines a crib bumper as any material that is designed to cover the sides of a crib intended to prevent injuries to infants. This encompasses various forms of bumpers, including padded varieties and vertical slat covers, while exempting non-padded mesh crib liners. Current provisions will be amended to include crib bumpers as products that may not be remanufactured or sold if considered unsafe, which greatly affects commercial entities dealing with children's products.
Contention
While the bill primarily focuses on enhancing safety for children, it may generate discussions among manufacturers and retailers of children's products. Some critics may argue that the ban limits parental choices or that certain bumpers could be made safe with appropriate regulation. However, proponents contend that the potential risks posed by such products outweigh the benefits, advocating for stricter safety standards in the realm of children's products. The enforcement of the CFA provisions, which impose penalties for violations, further emphasizes the seriousness of the bill's intent.
Safe sleep; creating the Safe Sleep Act; prohibiting the sale or lease of crib bumper pads; prohibiting use or possession in certain locations. Effective date.