PINELLAS COUNTY – Legislation filed by Sen. Charlie Justice, D-St. Petersburg, is designed to protect children from dangerous toys on the shelves at local retailers.
The house version of the bill has been filed by Rep. Darren Soto, D-Orlando.
The Florida Toy Safety Act requires manufacturers to identify which children’s products do not meet the safety standards set by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. Once these toys are identified, retailers will assume the responsibility of notifying consumers of these products.
“As a parent, it is my right to know if what I am purchasing for my 3 year old is potentially hazardous,” Justice said in a press release. “There are federal safety standards for a reason. If you want to do business in Florida, you need to make sure your products are up to these standards.”
Over the last year, millions of toys have been recalled because of dangerous levels of harmful elements. Parents have been increasingly on edge about the products they are purchasing for their kids and bringing into their homes, Justice said.
A recent report released by the Washington Toxic Coalition found that an unacceptable number of children’s toys are contaminated with lead, mercury, and cadmium at levels that are dangerously high. Local media even reports that the Salvation Army has had to scrap many of their donated toys due to recalls and concerns with safety.
There has been a national outcry for federal and state governments to tighten safety regulations. The Florida Toy Safety Act is just one of many similar pieces of legislation being considered around the country.
“Florida is a gateway for international trade and we should be leading the way on regulations that increase product safety and consumer confidence,” Justice said. “ I want to be able to tell my constituents that the products they buy won’t harm their children. Right now, that just isn’t possible.”
