D.C. Law 23-131. Window Blind and Drape Cord Safety Notification Act of 2020.

AN ACT

To require hospitals birth centers and pediatric primary care providers to provide notice regarding the danger window blinds and drape cords pose to children.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as the "Window Blind and Drape Cord Safety Notification Act of 2020".

Sec. 2. Window blind and drape cord safety notification requirement.

(a) Every hospital, birth center, and pediatric primary care provider located in the District of Columbia shall distribute an informational notice provided to it by the Department of Health ("DC Health") regarding the danger that window blinds and drape cords pose to children and how to avoid those dangers directly to:

(1) The parent or guardian following the labor and delivery of the parent's or guardian's child as a component of the discharge discussion and instruction;

(2) The person accompanying a child to the child's 6-month primary care appointment; and

(3) Upon request, a member of the general public.

(b) The informational notice shall be designed by DC Health and provided to each hospital, birth center, and pediatric primary care provider to distribute in photocopied form to the persons listed in subsection (a) of this section.

(c) DC Health shall make the information contained in the notice available on DC Health's website and shall provide electronic text to hospitals, birth centers, and pediatric primary care providers.

(d) The informational notice required by subsection (a) of this section shall be either:

(1) The informational notice created by DC Health in subsection (b) of this section; or

(2) A similar informational notice approved by DC Health.

Sec. 3. Rules.

The Mayor shall, pursuant to the District of Columbia Administrative Procedure Act, approved October 21, 1968 (82 Stat. 1204; D.C. Official Code § 2-501 et seq.), issue rules to implement the provisions of this act.

Sec. 4. Fiscal impact statement.

The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a).

Sec. 5. Effective date.

This act shall take effect after approval by the Mayor (or in the event of a veto by the Mayor, override of the veto by the Council, a 30-day period of Congressional review as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of Columbia Register.