Tips For Calling Your Elected Reresentatives
BECOME AN ADVOCATE AND TAKING ACTION
Calling your representatives on an issue that is important to you is as easy as ordering a pizza and doesn’t take much longer. Some people are intimidated at the thought of calling an elected official. Don’t be! They were elected to represent you.
If you don’t know who represents you in Congress just go to http://www.congress.org/ and enter your zip code. Then call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard – 202-224-3121 – and ask for your member of Congress. You can also go to your representative’s website to find their local and Washington contact information. Click here to find out more.
FEDERAL LEGISLATION
Full text, summary, co-sponsors and bill status available at the links provided below.
S. – Represents a bill introduced in the U.S. Senate
H.R. – Represents a bill introduced in the U. S. House of Representatives
H.R. 5195: Autism Understanding and Training in School Methodologies for Educators Act of 2012
A bill to establish a 5 year demonstration program to provide skills to classroom teachers and staff who work with children with autism spectrum disorders
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hr5195
Autism Services and Workforce Acceleration Act of 2011 [S. 850]: A bill to provide for enhanced treatment, support, services, and research for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families.
S. 850 http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s112-850
Ban Poisonous Additives Act of 2011[S.136/H.R.432]: Bans the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in food and beverage containers for children.
S. 136 http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s112-136
H.R. 432 http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-432
Caring for Military Kids with Autism Act [H.R.2288]: Amends title 10, United States Code, to provide for certain treatment of autism under TRICARE.
H.R. 2288 http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-2288
**Combating Autism Reauthorization Act of 2011[S.1094/H.R. 2005]: A bill to reauthorize the Combating Autism Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-416), which authorizes nearly $700 million to fund autism research, training, intervention and other programs.
S. 1094: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s112-1094
H.R. 2005 http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-2005
Signed into law by President Obama 9/30/11.
H.R. 4318: To prohibit the use, production, sale, importation, or exportation of any pesticide containing atrazine
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hr4318
H.R. 6163: National Pediatric Research Network Act of 2012
Amends title IV of the Public Health Service Act to provide for a National Pediatric Research Network with a focus on rare diseases or conditions
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hr6163
NJ S1884. Requires DHSS to post on website information concerning hospital emergency department staffing and services for pediatric patients
http://www.govtrack.us/states/nj/bills/2012-2013/s1884
H.R. 6601: Carcinogen-Free Label Act of 2012
A bill to establish programs in the executive branch to permit the labeling that do not contain any carcinogens as “Carcinogen-Free” and for other purposes
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hr6601
H.R. 6358: Cell Phone Right to Know Act
A bill to examine, label, and communicate adverse human biological effects associated with exposure to electromagnetic fields from cell phones and other wireless devices
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hr6358
H.R. 6207: Children’s Health Task Force Act of 2012
A bill to establish and maintain a permanent Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hr6207
H.R. 6396: End Radon in Schools Act
A bill introduced to establish a grant program to test and mitigate radon levels in public schools
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hr6396
H.R. 4225: School Environment Protection Act
Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to require local educational agencies and schools to implement pest management programs
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hr4225
Dangerous Products Warning Act [H.R.322]: Amends title 18, United States Code, to provide for the protection of the general public.
H.R. 322 http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-322
Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Exposure Elimination Act of 2011 [S. 1361]: A bill to reduce human exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
S. 1361 http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s112-1361
Endocrine Disruptor Screening Enhancement Act of 2011 [H.R. 553]
Status: not reported yet by the committee as of Feb 2011
Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancer Survivorship Research and Quality of Life Act of 2011 [S.1613/H.R.3015]: To improve and enhance research and programs on childhood cancer survivorship
S. 1613 http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s112-1613
H.R. 3015 http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-3015
Skin Cancer Prevention, Education and Consumer Right-To-Know Act [H.R.2132]
Status: Referred to committee, not yet reported as of June 2011
H.R. 5716: Melanoma Research Act of 2012
To establish a Skin Cancer Research Fund to increase funding for the conduct or support of research relating to skin cancer by the National Institutes of Health.
S. 2301: Tanning Transparency and Notification Act of 2012
A bill to help prevent the occurrence of cancer resulting from the use of ultraviolet tanning lamps by providing sufficient information to consumers regarding the health risks associated with the use of such devices.
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/s2301
S. Res. 586: A resolution expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Infant Mortality Awareness Month
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/sres586
H.R. 4266: Protecting Pregnant Women and Children From Hexavalent Chromium Act of 2012
Amends the Safe drinking Water Act to protect the health of vulnerable individuals, including pregnant women, infants, and children, by requiring a health advisory and drinking water standard for hexavalent chromium
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hr4266
Protecting Pregnant Women and Children from Perchlorate Act of 2011[S.78]: Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to protect the health of pregnant women, fetuses, infants, and children by requiring a health advisory and drinking water standard for perchlorate.
S. 78 http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s112-78
Protecting Pregnant Women and Children from Hexavalent Chromium Act of 2011 [S.79]: Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to protect the health of vulnerable individuals, including pregnant women, infants, and children, by requiring a health advisory and drinking water standard for hexavalent chromium.
S. 79 http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s112-79
Safe Cosmetics Act of 2011 [H.R.2359]
Status: Referred to committee, not yet reported to committee as of June 2011
H.R. 4395: Cosmetic Safety Amendments Act of 2012
To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish new procedures and requirements for the registration of cosmetic product manufacturing establishments, the submission of cosmetic product and ingredient statements, and the reporting of serious and unexpected cosmetic product adverse events, and for other purposes.
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hr4395
Safe Chemicals Act of 2011 [S.847]: Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to ensure that risks from chemicals are adequately understood and managed.
S. 847 http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s112-847
Strengthening Protections for Children and Communities from Disease Cluster Act [S.76]: Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to investigate and address cancer and disease clusters, including in infants and children. S. 76 http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s112-76
Superfund Polluter Pays Act [S.461/H.R.1634]
Status: Referred to committee on April 2011, not yet reported
GREEN CLEANING STATE LEGISLATION
Efforts by Deirdre Imus and The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center® have helped usher in “Green Cleaning” Executive Orders from the governors of multiple states. Leading by example, the Environmental Center’s award-winning Greening The Cleaning® program eliminates, to the greatest extent possible, all cleaning agents containing hazardous ingredients and replaces them with naturally derived ingredients with the least level of toxicity. Since its inception in 2001, the institutional Greening The Cleaning® program has been implemented by healthcare facilities, government authorities, businesses and schools, with direct savings in cleaning costs ranging from budget neutral to 75 percent
States with green cleaning laws now include: New York, Connecticut, Nevada, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Missouri, Maine and Hawaii
State legislatures that have introduced green cleaning legislation including: New Jersey, California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Washington, Wisconsin and Vermont
NEW YORK
New York: Mandates that schools purchase green cleaning products under Public Law 409I, and that agencies purchase from preferred vendors under State Finance Law 162.
NY A02096: Relates to the use of environmentally sensitive cleaning and maintenance products in nursing homes, residential care facilities, senior centers and adult homes; requires commissioner to establish certain guidelines and criteria for the use of such products.
http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/default_fld=&bn=A02096&term=2011&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Votes=Y&Memo=Y&Text=Y
OTHER IMPORTANT STATE LEGISLATION
AUTISM
New York:
A06305/S4005 – relates to insurance coverage for the screening, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A06305&term=2011
Passed by legislature – Awaiting Gov. Cuomo’s signature
Other bills relating to autism spectrum disorders http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/
New Jersey:
Bills relating to autism spectrum disorders. http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/BillsByKeyword.asp
CHEMICALS
New York:
A04036 – Prohibits the manufacture, distribution and sale of toys and child care products containing bisphenol-A or phthalates. http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A04036&term=2011
A07572 – Prohibits the sale or offering for sale of toys, and liquids, foods and beverages in containers, for children 3 or younger, containing bisphenol A; requires manufacturers of products containing bisphenol A to use the least toxic alternative chemical compound to replace bisphenol A. http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07572&term=2011
New Jersey: Bills relating to sale of products containing phthalates and bisphenol A http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/BillsByKeyword.asp
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act of 2011 (FRAC ACT) H.R. 1084
Status:
S. 587: FRAC Act
A bill to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act and to repeal a certain exemption for hydraulic fracturing
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/s587
New York:
S. 2248: Fracturing Regulations are Effective in State Hands Act
A bill to clarify that a State has the sole authority to regulate hydraulic fracturing on Federal land within State boundaries
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/s2248
A05547 – Establishes a moratorium on conducting hydraulic fracturing for the extraction of natural gas or oil until 120 days after federal EPA issues report. http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A05547&term=2011
S03765 – Prohibits contracts that relate or refer to hydraulic fracturing from containing provisions that prohibit the disclosure of the chemicals used by such processes.
Other bills relating to hydraulic fracturing http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/
New Jersey:
A3653/S2576 – Prohibits drilling technique of hydraulic fracturing http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/BillView.asp
Other bills relating to hydraulic fracturing.
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/BillsByKeyword.asp
VACCINATION EXEMPTIONS
On February 22, 2011, the U.S. Supreme Court held vaccines to be “unavoidably unsafe” and shielded drug companies from all liability for harm caused by vaccines even when companies could have made a safer vaccine.
New York:
S01331 – Enacts the “philosophical exemption to immunizations act” in order to establish an exemption to mandatory immunizations. http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=S01331&term=2011
A00654 – Extends the protections of the medical exemption from mandatory immunizations
for students to ensure deference to the professional assessments of physicians
and nurse practitioners in the care of their individual patients. http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A00593&term=2011&Summary=Y&Text=Y
A00654 – Authorizes nurse practitioners to certify that an immunization may be detrimental to a child’s health. http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A00654&term=2011
New Jersey:
A101/S1571 – Provides for philosophical exemption to mandatory immunizations. http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/BillView.asp
A243/S1089 & A1089/S1839 – Provides for conscientious exemption to mandatory immunizations. http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/BillsByKeyword.asp
12-6-12