Lawmakers got tiny knocks on their doors this week, when children visited Capitol Hill to lobby for action on a toy safety bill that advocates want to see enacted in time for the production of 2008 holiday gifts.
The campaign was organized by the Center for Justice and Democracy, a nonpartisan consumer group that says it promotes the integrity of the civil justice system.
The advocates are urging swift enactment of a bill that would revamp the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), ban lead in children's products and raise penalties for selling defective products. Massive recalls last year of lead-tainted toys made in China spurred lawmakers into action.
The House version of the bill (HR 4040) would create a new category of "children's products" that must be virtually lead-free within 180 days of enactment. The Senate version would only cover products aimed at children 7 and younger.
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