PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT - S.B. 627 (S-1): FIRST ANALYSIS


Senate Bill 627 (as enrolled)

Sponsor: Senator Bev Hammerstrom

Committee: Education


Date Completed: 12-11-01


RATIONALE


The Playground Equipment Safety Act sets standards for the manufacture and assembly of public playground equipment. The Act provides that 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 Pubic Use, ASTM F1487-97" manual. Since the time the legislation was enacted in 1997, the ASTM standard has been updated. It has been suggested that the most current manual, published in 2001, be cited.


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 F1487-97" to "ASTM F1487-01". A person who fails to comply with the standards is responsible for a civil infraction.


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

The bill simply would update a numerical reference to a document the current Act incorporates by reference. Since the Act is designed to protect the safety of children on playgrounds, the most current standards should be used.


- Legislative Analyst: C. Layman


FISCAL IMPACT


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


- Fiscal Analyst: M. TyszkiewiczA0102\s627a

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.