BILL ANALYSIS �
SCR 86
Page 1
Date of Hearing: June 11, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Joan Buchanan, Chair
SCR 86 (Hueso) - As Amended: May 21, 2014
SENATE VOTE : 33-1
SUBJECT : Heavy school backpacks.
SUMMARY : Resolves that schools are urged when developing
guidelines for student backpacks that they consider limiting the
total backpack weight to 10% of the student's body weight and
encourage the use of ergonomic backpacks, among others, as
specified. Specifically, this resolution :
1)Makes Legislative findings and declarations that:
a) Overloaded school backpacks are causing an increasing
problem of back pain and spinal strain in students in
elementary and secondary schools across the nation and can
cause spinal ligament and muscle damage.
b) The State Board of Education adopted maximum weight
standards for textbooks.
c) More than 90 percent of children carry a school
backpack, which studies have found to weigh as much as 25
percent of the child's body weight and backpacks are often
not worn correctly and are frequently slung over one
shoulder.
2)Resolves that the Legislature strongly 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.
3)Resolves that schools should work with parent-teacher
organizations to assess the extent to which their students use
overweight backpacks and to promote innovative homework
strategies that lessen the need for students to take school
materials and books from school to home each day.
4)Resolves that the Legislature urges schools to do the
following when developing their guidelines for students' use
of backpacks:
a) Discourage students from carrying a backpack that weighs
more than 10 percent of a student's body weight.
SCR 86
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b) Encourage the use of ergonomic backpacks with
individualized compartments to efficiently hold books and
equipment.
c) Encourage students to wear both shoulder straps and not
sling a backpack over one shoulder.
d) Encourage the use of wide, padded, adjustable backpack
straps that fit the student's body.
e) Encourage students to leave the heaviest books at
school, and urge teachers to give handouts or workbooks
that can be used for homework assignments.
f) Encourage schools to make electronic versions of
textbooks available, as federal and state funding for that
purpose becomes available.
g) Offer students integrated education about backpacks by
using a hanging scale in the classroom to allow students to
weigh their backpacks and enter the weight into a graph
that would track the weights and use the data to determine
whether a student's backpack is too heavy, and provide
information about ways to lighten the weight of a backpack.
EXISTING LAW requires on or before July 1, 2004, the State Board
of Education to adopt maximum weight standards for textbooks
used by pupils in elementary and secondary schools; and,
specifies the weight standards shall take into consideration the
health risks to pupils who transport textbooks to and from
school each day. (Education Code 49415)
FISCAL EFFECT : This resolution is keyed non-fiscal.
COMMENTS : This resolution makes Legislative findings about the
potential harm of heavy backpacks on students and resolves that
schools are urged when developing guidelines for student
backpacks that they consider limiting the total backpack weight
to 10% of the student's body weight and encourage the use of
ergonomic backpacks, among others.
According to the author, "With over 90 percent of school
children wearing backpacks, the importance of providing
education surrounding the implications of overloaded backpacks
cannot be stressed more. Schools and parents have a
responsibility to their children to ensure a safe environment
that includes ergonomic awareness. By introducing this
resolution, schools and parents can engage in educational
opportunities to reduce the health problems young children
face."
SCR 86
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The author further states, "SCR 86 urges parents and teachers to
work together to help reduce the weight of children's backpacks
to no more than 10 percent of the students' body weight. SCR 86
also promotes the use of ergonomic backpacks with individualized
compartments, using backpacks with wide straps, and wearing
backpacks correctly over both shoulders and at the proper height
on the child's back. In addition, SCR 86 encourages schools to
leave heavy textbooks in the classroom, use electronic versions
when available and offer integrated classroom education about
backpack weight."
Committee Amendment : Change references to "spinal disk" to
"spinal disc" throughout the bill.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
California Chiropractic Association
California State Parent Teachers Association
An Individual
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Chelsea Kelley / ED. / (916) 319-2087