BILL ANALYSIS �
SCR 86
Page 1
SENATE THIRD READING
SCR 86 (Hueso)
As Amended June 19, 2014
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE :33-1
EDUCATION 6-0
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|Ayes:|Buchanan, Olsen, | | |
| |Gonzalez, Nazarian, | | |
| |Weber, Williams | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | | | |
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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% of children carry a school backpack, which
studies have found to weigh as much as 25% 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
SCR 86
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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% of a student's body weight.
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 Section 49415)
FISCAL EFFECT : None. This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by the
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Legislative Counsel.
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% 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."
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% 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."
Analysis Prepared by : Chelsea Kelley / ED. / (916) 319-2087
FN: 0004043