H.B. 5304: FIRST ANALYSIS - PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT STANDARD

House Bill 5304 (as reported without amendment)

Sponsor: Representative Beverly Hammerstrom

House Committee: Regulatory Affairs

Senate Committee: Economic Development, International Trade and Regulatory Affairs

Date Completed: 5-22-98

RATIONALE

The Playground Equipment Safety Act provides that after May 1, 1998, a person who manufactures or assembles public playground equipment for compensation must comply with standards in the "Handbook for Public Playground Safety" published for the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, and the "Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Playground Equipment for Public Use, ASTM F1487-93". A person who fails to comply with the standards is responsible for a civil infraction. The ASTM standard referred to in the Act, however, has been updated.

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Playground Equipment Safety Act to revise the American Society for Testing and Materials standard entitled "Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Playground Equipment for Public Use" by changing a reference from "ASTM F1487-93" to "ASTM F1487-95".

MCL 408.684

ARGUMENTS

(Please note: The arguments contained in this analysis originate from sources outside the Senate Fiscal Agency. The Senate Fiscal Agency neither supports nor opposes legislation.)

Supporting Argument

Since the current Act incorporates the document by reference, the bill would simply update a reference from "ASTM F1487-93" to "ASTM F1487-95" used for the "Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Playground Equipment for Public Use". Since the Act is designed to protect the safety of children on playgrounds, the most current standards should be used.

- Legislative Analyst: N. Nagata

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

- Fiscal Analyst: C. Cole

H9798\S5304A

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.