Referred to:  The Public Health & Social Services Committee (Chairman Lopez and Legislators Collins, Nolan, Petit, and Wawro)

Chairwoman Tracey A. Bartels and Legislator Mary Wawro offer the following:

WHEREAS, the County of Ulster strives to be a leader in protecting the health and safety of its residents, particularly children, who are the most vulnerable in our communities; and

WHEREAS, when an activity raises threats of harm to the environment or human health, precautionary measures should be taken; and

WHEREAS, there are chemicals of high concern for the environment and human health that can be found in everyday products, as has been determined by numerous authoritative government bodies; and

WHEREAS, Assembly Bill A6296A and Senate Bill 501B have been passed in the 2019-2020 Legislative Session to amend the Environmental Conservation Law, in relation to the regulation of toxic chemicals in children’s products and prohibiting the sale of children’s products containing certain dangerous chemicals; and

WHEREAS, Ulster County has a long history of examining this and similar issues relating to the health and safety of residents; and

WHEREAS, recognizing that all residents, particularly children, as well as other inhabitants of our natural environment, have a right to protection from exposure to hazardous chemicals and pesticides, the Ulster County Legislature adopted Local Law Number 4 of 2009 implementing non-toxic pest management protocols on all county-owned and leased land; and

WHEREAS, as an operator of public buildings, the Ulster County Legislature acknowledges its responsibility to adopt and implement public policies and practices that seek to protect the long-term health of all those who work in and visit these properties and therefore adopted Resolution No. 282 of 2010 requiring the procurement and use of Green Cleaning Products to minimize adverse impacts on human health and the environment; and

WHEREAS, in furtherance of providing safe and healthy county maintained facilities, the Ulster County Legislature adopted Resolution No. 283 of 2010 requiring the procurement and use of low or no Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) paints and sealers on all new, renovation and repair projects in County-owned and leased facilities; and

WHEREAS, the Ulster County Legislature has extensively researched and discussed the prevalence and danger of toxic chemicals in children’s products, and in recent years considered a Local Law banning children’s products containing certain chemicals; and

WHEREAS, the Ulster County Legislature is committed to protecting the environment and the public health and welfare of our County’s infants and children whose growing bodies are vulnerable to health hazards caused by harmful chemicals; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Ulster County Legislature urges the Governor to sign posthaste New York State Assembly Bill 6296A and Senate Bill 501B to amend the Environmental Conservation Law, in relation to the regulation of toxic chemicals in children’s products and the prohibition of the sale of children’s products containing certain dangerous chemicals; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that the Clerk of the Ulster County Legislature shall forward copies of this resolution to Governor Andrew Cuomo, Assembly and Senate Majority and Minority Leaders, and all Ulster County elected Assemblymembers and Senators,

and move its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                        NOES:       

Passed Committee: Public Health and Social Services on _____________________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

NONE