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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| Rep. Eugene DePasquale |
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DePasquale to reintroduce toy recall legislation
HARRISBURG, Dec. 13 – State Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York, announced he will introduce a package of legislation to help parents ensure the products they buy for children in Pennsylvania are safe.
The first bill would sharply increase criminal and civil penalties for knowingly selling toys and children’s products that have been recalled or deemed unsafe for use.
"It’s mind-boggling that such a law is required, but, there are people out there who would risk a child’s life by selling unsafe products just to make a quick buck," DePasquale said. "With the holidays before us and so many families struggling, some parents may not notice that a deal on a toy is 'too good to be true' until it’s too late.
"I want to come down hard on these criminals and also improve access to information for parents with one goal in mind – protecting our children."
The second bill would change Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection laws to prohibit the sale of any children’s products (those intended for use by children younger than 12) that have been deemed unsafe by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
"I don't want there to be any excuse for a company selling an unsafe children’s product. This bill would get the word out. Knowledge is power, and in cases like these, knowledge can be a lifesaver for our children," DePasquale said.
Under both proposals, the attorney general also would be required to establish and maintain a website that would provide links to lists of all national agencies that deal with consumer product safety and product recalls, as well as maintain an up-to-date list of products deemed unsafe by the CPSC. The products identified by any of these lists would be restricted from sale or commerce within Pennsylvania.
The bill also would require manufacturers, importers, wholesalers and distributors to notify their customers and retailers of recalled children's products within 24 hours of the announced recall. Retailers would have three days to remove recalled or unsafe items from their shelves, DePasquale said.