Bill Text: CA SR59 | 2019-2020 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Relative to Children’s Environmental Health Month 2019.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-09-03 - Read. Adopted. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2438.) [SR59 Detail]
Download: California-2019-SR59-Enrolled.html
|
Enrolled
September 04, 2019 |
|
Passed
IN
Senate
September 03, 2019 |
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Resolution
No. 59
| Introduced by Senator Skinner |
August 20, 2019 |
Relative to Children’s Environmental Health Month 2019.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SR 59, Skinner.
Digest Key
Bill Text
WHEREAS, Children are especially vulnerable to environmental health issues, even more so than adults. Children are physiologically very different from adults, because they are in a dynamic state of growth. At birth, the human nervous, respiratory, reproductive, and immune systems are not yet fully developed, and these systems absorb more air in proportion to their body weight than do adults. They also have higher metabolic rates and a higher proportionate intake of food and liquid than adults. Children also have different behavior patterns, and therefore, different exposure paths than adults; and
WHEREAS, All children are affected by environmental hazards. Pollution and environmental degradation know no county, state, regional, or national border. Contaminants are transported through many media, including air, water, soil, and food throughout the world. For example, particulate matter released into the air from internal combustion diesel engines cause many health impacts on children that live near goods movement corridors, including increased hospitalizations and emergency department visits for exacerbated chronic heart and lung disease, including asthma, increased respiratory symptoms, and decreased lung function in children with developing lungs. These effects can stay with a child for their whole lives, and even shorten a child’s lifespan; and
WHEREAS, It is well accepted that children living in poverty and children in disadvantaged communities are at disproportionate risk for exposure to environmental hazards; and
WHEREAS, The United States has experienced worrisome increases in certain childhood diseases, disorders, and health problems, including asthma, autism, obesity, and cancer. Researchers are working hard to determine to what degree these increases are linked to environmental exposures; and
WHEREAS, The aim of Children’s Environmental Health Month is to raise awareness about the importance of clean air and water, safe food and consumer products, and healthy environments to children’s health and development; and
WHEREAS, Children’s Environmental Health Day was created by the Children’s Environmental Health Network and celebrated for the first time on October 13, 2016. Children’s Environmental Health Day is generally observed on the second Thursday in October as a means to celebrate progress of the children’s environmental health movement and create a strong network of child health advocates; and
WHEREAS, Children’s Environmental Health Day is a national effort supported by individuals, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies to encourage individuals and organizations to raise awareness and understanding of children’s environmental health issues, seek improved protections for children, and perform acts of sustainability or environmental health wellness; and
WHEREAS, Together, we can safeguard the health, safety, and well-being of our children, who are our most precious resource; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate proclaims October 2019 as Children’s Environmental Health Month, and affirms that all children have a right to clean air and water, safer food and products, and healthy environments; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
