Maryland would hire inspectors to enforce a ban on manufacturing, selling, importing or distributing toys and other children's products containing dangerous levels of lead under legislation that passed overwhelmingly yesterday in the House of Delegates.
The bill, which passed the chamber 132 to 4 and now heads to the state Senate, would require state inspectors to monitor toys on store shelves statewide. The law would make Maryland one of the first states to ban some lead-containing products after a year of high-profile recalls of toys made in China that were found to contain too much lead.
"It's a significant step in the protection of children," said Del. James W. Hubbard (D-Prince George's), who introduced the measure and considers lead-containing products a public health risk.
If the legislation passes the Senate and is signed by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D), it would remove from shelves products whose lead content makes up more than 0.06 percent of their weight and punish retailers, manufacturers and distributors who sell them. The law would take effect July 1 and cover all products marketed to children younger than 6. The measure exempts jewelry and candy.
Full Story: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/29/AR2008022901861.html