House Republican Press Release

June 4, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Klarides Votes to Ban Pesticides from Schools

HARTFORD- Deputy House Republican Leader Themis Klarides (R-Derby) today voted in favor of a measure which would expand the ban on the use of dangerous pesticides on fields used by school children.  The bill passed the State House of Representatives today by a vote of 140-9.

Under current law applying a lawn care pesticide on the grounds of public and private preschools and elementary schools is prohibited, except that pesticides can be applied until July 1, 2008 on their playing fields and playgrounds according to an integrated pest management plan (IPM). The bill expands the ban to public and private schools with students through grade eight and extends the IPM exemption for one year, to July 1, 2009. The IPM plan may be developed by a local or regional school board for public schools it controls and must be consistent with DEP's model pest control management plan.

The bill passed by the House today expands a ban on applying lawn care pesticides to school playing fields and playgrounds to schools with students through grade eight; extends, for one year, an exemption for pesticides applied on these grounds according to certain integrated pest management plans (IPMs); expands a school superintendent's ability to authorize emergency applications of lawn care pesticides in health emergencies to any public school, apparently with students through grade eight, instead of just a public elementary school; and makes the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) responsible for administering and enforcing school pesticide applications.

“I think that it’s common sense that we reduce the exposure of children to potentially harmful chemicals such as pesticides,” said Representative Klarides.  “We are setting an important standard here to keep children safe from such exposure, and setting significant penalties for disregarding this measure.”

Professional violators who knowingly break the law may be fined up to $ 5,000, imprisoned for up to one year, or both. A private applicator or other person who knowingly violates the law may be fined up to $1,000, jailed for up to 30 days, or both.

The bill previously passed the State Senate, and will now head to Governor M. Jodi Rell for her signature.