UPDATE: Toxic-Free Kids Act Moves Forward

Neither snow, nor ice, nor wind, nor rain, could keep supporters of the Toxic-Free Kids Act from Olympia and the State Capitol last week. And it's a good thing because it was quite a week in Olympia.

On Tuesday, two legislative committees  - one in the Senate and one in the House - held hearings on the Toxic-Free Kids Act, Washington Toxics Coalition-backed bill that will eliminate toxic Tris flame retardants from children's products. With snow coming down in Olympia, supporters of the bills braved the roads to tell legislators about this important legislation.

One of the highlights of the hearings was when Erin Naumowicz, mother and small business owner, explained why the Toxic-Free Act is critical for protecting children's health:

Bravo Erin! And bravo to the many organizations and individuals who showed up in support, including Earth Ministry, Washington State Nurses Association, Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Washington State Firefighters, Planned Parenthood Northwest, and the Environmental Priorities Coalition. You can watch their testimonies here. 

The hard work paid off and the Senate Environment Committee passed the Senate bill (SB 6120), sponsored by Sen. Sharon Nelson (D-Maury Island), on Friday on a 5-4 vote.

The House bill (HB 2266), sponsored by Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson (D-Seattle), is still awaiting a vote in the House Environment Committee, which has until February 3rd to move the bill out.

The bills still have a long way to go, but last week moves them just a little closer to the finish line.

You can help the bill by telling your state legislators that you support the Toxic-Free Kids Act. Here's how.

Intrepid supporters of the Toxic-Free Kids Act ready to testify in Olympia.