BILL ANALYSIS �
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SCR 86
Author: Hueso (D)
Amended: 5/21/14
Vote: 21
SUBJECT : Heavy school backpacks
SOURCE : California Chiropractic Association
DIGEST : This resolution acknowledges the health risks that
heavy backpacks pose to schoolchildren and recommends that
certain measures be taken in order to avoid injury.
Senate Floor Amendments of 5/21/14 add additional language
referring to the maximum weight standards for textbooks and
lightweight alternatives to print materials as contained in AB
2532 (Pacheco, Chapter 1096, Statutes of 2002), and make
technical changes.
ANALYSIS : This resolution makes the following legislative
findings:
1. Overloaded school backpacks are causing an increasing problem
of back pain and spinal strain in students in elementary and
secondary schools across the nation.
2. Because spinal ligaments and muscles are not fully developed
until after 16 years of age, overweight backpacks are a
source of repeated low-level stress that may result in
chronic neck, shoulder, or back pain in children and reviews
of data have revealed over 7,000 emergency room visits, and
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over 28,000 doctor's office visits, per year by children for
backpack-related injuries.
3. Students' textbooks are much heavier now than many years ago
and, in addition to textbooks, students often carry
computers, cell phones, water bottles, running shoes, band
instruments, and other equipment considered essential to have
readily available, more than 90% of children carry a school
backpack, which studies have found to weigh as much as 25% of
the child's body weight.
4. Recommends that all school administrators, teachers, parents,
and school children be educated about the potential health
impacts of heavy backpacks and take proactive measures to
avoid injury, as specified.
This resolution acknowledges the health risks that heavy
backpacks pose to schoolchildren and recommends that certain
measures be taken in order to avoid injury.
FISCAL EFFECT : Fiscal Com.: No
SUPPORT : (Verified 5/22/14)
California Chiropractic Association (source)
State Parent Teachers Association
PQ:d 5/22/14 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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