Measure Aims to Restrict Pesticide Use Near Schools
Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) introduced a bill Friday that would increase regulatory oversight of pesticide use near schools, day-care facilities, nursing homes and hospitals.
The measure would expand the authority of agricultural commissioners across the state to regulate all pesticide use near facilities used by children, the elderly and the infirm.
Violators would also face stiffer fines than California law now allows.
Jackson said she was acting in response to an incident at Mound Elementary School in Ventura last fall, when two children went home and dozens of other students and teachers complained of dizziness, headaches and nausea after a morning application of an insecticide at a nearby lemon orchard.
Current law gives county agricultural commissioners the discretion to regulate the application of narrowly defined “restricted” chemicals.
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