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Resolve, To Encourage the Use of Safe Chemicals in Public Schools
Sec. 1 Department of Education to consult with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Board of Pesticides Control in promoting the implementation of green cleaning programs in schools. Resolved: That the Department of Education, referred to in this resolve as “the department,” in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, Board of Pesticides Control, shall:
1. Compile a list of cleaning products that have been certified as meeting health-based criteria for safety and efficacy by a 3rd-party independent agency such as Green Seal or that have been listed by the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of General Services, Division of Purchases as environmentally preferred janitorial products. The department shall distribute this list yearly to every school administrative unit in the State after updating the list;
2. Compile a list of disinfectants that have been evaluated using criteria established by the Division of Purchases or other acceptable criteria for environmentally preferred janitorial products and registered by the Board of Pesticides Control. The department shall distribute this list yearly to every school administrative unit in the State after updating the list; and
3. Develop recommendations for cleaning procedures that will reduce the use of toxic chemicals and improve indoor air quality while meeting performance standards for cleanliness. The department shall distribute descriptions of these recommended procedures, referred to as “green cleaning procedures,” to every school administrative unit in the State; and be it further
Sec. 2 Department of Education to provide information on the regulation of pesticides. Resolved: That the department shall inform each school administrative unit in the State that the use of pesticides in and around schools is regulated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, Board of Pesticides Control and provide contact information for the board. The department shall advise each school administrative unit to contact the Board of Pesticides Control for copies of the board’s rules that apply to schools and for any assistance needed in interpreting the rules; and be it further
Sec. 3 Recognition of school administrative units that commit to a green cleaning program. Resolved: That the department shall compile and maintain a list of school administrative units that have committed to implementing a green cleaning program. The department shall make this list available to the public. A green cleaning program is one that uses cleaning products and disinfectants on the lists distributed under section 1 in a manner consistent with the green cleaning procedures described under section 1.