06-R 276

2006 -- S 2627 SUBSTITUTE A

Enacted 05/23/06

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION TO USE

ENVIRONMENTALLY-SAFE AND HEALTH-FRIENDLY CLEANING PRODUCTS IN

STATE FACILITIES AND WORKPLACES

Introduced By: Senators Perry, Goodwin, Paiva-Weed, Gallo, and Alves

Date Introduced: February 09, 2006

     WHEREAS, It is a priority of this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence

Plantations to protect the environment and the health and safety of workers and citizens of Rhode

Island; and

     WHEREAS, Cleaning products are necessary for maintaining sanitary conditions in State

facilities; and

     WHEREAS, Chemicals contained in certain cleaning products can be released into the

environment during normal use; and

     WHEREAS, Utilizing less hazardous cleaning products in our State facilities and

workplaces, and implementing measures to reduce exposure to those products, can minimize

harmful impacts to office and custodial workers, as well as improve air quality and reduce water

pollution; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That the Department of Administration is encouraged to use

environmentally-safe and health-friendly cleaning products in state facilities and workplaces; and

be it further

     RESOLVED, That all State departments and authorities with purchasing responsibility

shall procure and use cleaning products having properties that minimize potential impacts to

human health and the environment, consistent with maintaining the effectiveness of these

products for the protection of the public health and safety; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Department of Administration, in consultation with the

Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Management, shall establish

guidelines or regulations to provide guidance to covered State entities in connection with the

implementation of this Resolution; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Department of Administration shall provide the Governor and the

General Assembly with a report assessing the effectiveness of and compliance with this

Resolution within one year of the effective date of this Resolution; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That municipal governments and school districts are hereby encouraged to

review their purchasing and use of cleaning products and are urged to comply with the provisions

of this Resolution where deemed appropriate; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That wherever feasible, State entities shall transition to environmentally-

safe and health-friendly cleaning products as soon as possible in a manner that avoids wasting of

existing inventories, accommodates establishment of supply chains for new products, enables the

training of personnel in appropriate work practices, and allows the phase-out of products and

practices inconsistent with this Resolution. Additionally, new purchasing contracts for the

purchase of such products or cleaning services should include an appropriate requirement

consistent with this resolution and the guidelines provided by the Department of Administration;

and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Department of Administration.

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LC02072/SUB A

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