PRINTER'S NO. 2972
No. 366 Session of 2000
INTRODUCED BY ORIE, READSHAW, WALKO, LESCOVITZ, DALEY, STABACK,
FRANKEL, LAUGHLIN, WILLIAMS, MAJOR, BARD, COSTA, PETRARCA,
CHADWICK, COLAFELLA, DeLUCA, CURRY, LEDERER, HARHAI,
M. COHEN, MUNDY, PISTELLA, YOUNGBLOOD, E. Z. TAYLOR AND
THOMAS, FEBRUARY 14, 2000
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, FEBRUARY 14, 2000
A RESOLUTION
1 Memorializing political subdivisions, public, private or
2 nonpublic elementary or secondary schools or approved child-
3 care facilities operating a playground area within this
4 Commonwealth to establish minimum safety requirements for the
5 playground equipment, carry out periodic safety inspections
6 of the playground equipment and develop a long-range plan for
7 the maintenance of safe playground equipment in the future.
8 WHEREAS, For many children, playgrounds are a fundamental
9 part of the childhood experience; and
10 WHEREAS, America's youth have long enjoyed the benefits of
11 public playgrounds; and
12 WHEREAS, The challenges found on a playground are a great
13 asset for the physical, emotional, social and intellectual
14 development of children; and
15 WHEREAS, According to the United States Consumer Products
16 Safety Commission, more than 200,000 preschool and elementary
17 children are treated each year for injuries associated with
18 playground equipment; and
19 WHEREAS, Nearly 70% of those injuries occurred on public
1 playgrounds; and
2 WHEREAS, The United States Consumer Products Safety
3 Commission has, since 1981, established nonmandatory, nonbinding
4 standards which municipalities, schools and parks can utilize to
5 help ensure safe playgrounds; and
6 WHEREAS, It should be in the interest of every community and
7 school in Pennsylvania to provide a playground with safe
8 equipment for the children of that community or school;
9 therefore be it
10 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives memorialize
11 political subdivisions, public, private or nonpublic elementary
12 or secondary schools or approved child-care facilities operating
13 a playground area within this Commonwealth to establish a safety
14 maintenance plan, including inspections, for all nonhome
15 playgrounds within the community or school limits.
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