Washington, D.C. – Kids In Danger (KID) and Consumer Federation of America (CFA) applaud the bipartisan passage of Reese’s Law (S.3278) in the U.S. Senate on August 2, 2022. The bill was introduced in the Senate by Senators Richard Blumenthal (CT) and Marsha Blackburn (TN) and will strengthen safety standards for coin and button cell batteries and the everyday products which contain them. The House of Representatives passed Reese’s Law last week (introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives Robin Kelly (IL), Jodey Arrington (TX), and Ted Lieu (CA)). The bill now heads to the President’s desk for signature.
“We appreciate the extensive work of Members of Congress, parents, pediatricians, and consumer organizations in reaching this important milestone of passage of Reese’s Law,” stated Rachel Weintraub, Legislative Director and General Counsel with Consumer Federation of America. “This law will direct the U.S. CPSC to promulgate a mandatory safety standard that will make products and packaging containing button and coin cell batteries more secure, preventing dangerous ingestion.”
The bill was named in honor of Reese Hamsmith, an 18-month-old child who died after ingesting a button cell battery from a remote control. Her family pushed for the legislation – to protect other children from a similar tragedy. Her mother, Trista Hamsmith, leads the organization Reese’s Purpose which gathered widespread support for the legislation.
“Button and coin cell batteries are hidden hazards in the home,” stated Nancy Cowles, Executive Director of Kids In Danger. “Reese’s Law will now make batteries in their original packaging or in use in products, safer for all children. We commend Reese’s family for working through their grief to pass this lifesaving legislation.”
These small flat round batteries are often found in toys, remote controls, and other common electronics, and contain toxic chemicals that can lead to severe internal damage if ingested. Reese’s Law will help prevent thousands of serious injuries and deaths from battery ingestion. The legislation directs the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to develop new safety standards to prevent accidental ingestion of button and coin cell batteries by children, including:
- Creating performance standards requiring the compartments of consumer products containing button cell or coin batteries to be secured to prevent access by young children;
- Requiring button or coin cell packaging to be child-resistant; and
- Requiring visible warning labels including directly on the product when practical, and that clearly state the hazard of ingestion and instruct consumers to keep new and used batteries out of the reach of children, and to seek immediate medical attention if a battery is ingested.
KID and CFA thank members of Congress for passing this life-saving bill, and call on President Biden to immediately sign it into law.
Contacts:
Rachel Weintraub, CFA, 202-904-4953
Nancy Cowles, KID, 312-218-5593