S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
4293
2015-2016 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 30, 2015
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Introduced by M. of A. ROBINSON -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Education
AN ACT authorizing the commissioner of the state education department to
conduct a study and report on the adverse health effects of heavy
backpacks and book bags on elementary school children
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Legislative findings and purpose. The legislature finds and
declares that elementary school children are carrying backpacks and book
bags weighing as much as forty pounds. Pediatricians and chiropractors
recommend that backpacks and book bags not exceed fifteen percent of a
child's body weight. Pediatricians, chiropractors and physical thera-
pists are seeing adverse health effects, to wit, an increased number of
children with spinal column injuries, back pain, and significant
postural changes from overloaded backpacks. In 1999, the United States
consumer product safety commission found that more than 3,400 pupils
between 5 and 14 years of age sought treatment in hospital emergency
rooms for injuries related to backpacks and book bags. The commissioner
of the state education department, in conjunction with specialists in
orthopedic medicine, shall determine the prevalence of such adverse
health effects in New York state elementary school children and report
to the governor and the legislature on such findings and determine the
feasibility of addressing such adverse health effects.
S 2. The commissioner of the state education department is hereby
authorized and directed to prepare or have prepared a study of the
adverse effects of carrying heavy backpacks and book bags on elementary
school students. Such study shall include, but not be limited to, an
evaluation of the following issues:
1. the prevalence of adverse health effects on New York state elemen-
tary school children directly and indirectly attributable to carrying
overloaded backpacks and book bags;
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08108-01-5
A. 4293 2
2. the feasibility of addressing such adverse health effects; and
3. the commissioner of the state education department's conclusions,
recommendations and proposal for implementing such recommendations.
S 3. Such study shall be completed within twelve months of the effec-
tive date of this act. Upon completion, such study, conclusions, recom-
mendations and proposals for implementing such recommendations, shall be
transmitted to the director of the division of the budget, the chair of
the senate finance committee, the chair of the assembly ways and means
committee, the chair of the senate higher education committee and the
chair of the assembly higher education committee.
S 4. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
it shall have become a law.