HR0186 LRB094 11195 CSA 42745 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, Backpacks of elementary and secondary school
3 pupils often contain textbooks, binders, calculators, personal
4 computers, lunches, a change of clothing, sports equipment, and
5 more; and
 
6     WHEREAS, Elementary and secondary school pupils are
7 carrying backpacks weighing as much as 40 pounds; and
 
8     WHEREAS, Chiropractors, physical therapists, and
9 pediatricians are seeing an increased number of children for
10 spinal column injuries, nontraumatic back pain, and
11 significant postural changes from overloaded backpacks; and
 
12     WHEREAS, Chiropractors and pediatricians recommend that
13 backpacks not exceed more than fifteen percent of a pupil's
14 body weight; and
 
15     WHEREAS, In 1999, more than 3,400 pupils between five and
16 14 years of age, inclusive, sought treatment in hospital
17 emergency rooms for injuries related to backpacks or book bags
18 according to the United States Consumer Product Safety
19 Commission; therefore, be it
 
20     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
21 NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
22 we request the Illinois State Board of Education to conduct a
23 study of the issues involved concerning the weight of backpacks
24 carried by elementary and secondary school pupils and consider
25 adopting maximum weight standards for textbooks; the weight
26 standards shall take into consideration the health risks to
27 pupils who transport textbooks to and from school each day; if
28 the study indicates that maximum textbook weight standards
29 would be beneficial, the Board shall adopt such standards by
30 July 1, 2006; and be it further
 

 

 

HR0186 - 2 - LRB094 11195 CSA 42745 r

1     RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be sent to the
2 Illinois State Board of Education.