House Passes Cárdenas’ Safe Sleep for Babies Act
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the United States House of Representatives passed Congressman Tony Cárdenas’ (CA-29) bipartisan bill, the Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2019. Following reports of infant deaths tied to inclined sleep products, Cárdenas introduced this legislation which prohibits the sale of sleepers with an inclined surface of greater than 10 degrees that is intended, marketed, or designed to provide sleeping accommodations for infants up to one year old.
“I am proud that the Safe Sleep for Babies Act passed the House of Representatives tonight,” said Congressman Tony Cárdenas. “The House once again demonstrated its ability to put aside partisan politics and get something done for the American people. My bill will save lives. The Safe Sleep for Babies Act will protect American babies by banning life-threatening inclined sleeper products from store shelves. As a father and grandfather, I understand that a child’s safety is the most important thing to a new parent. Parents deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing that the baby products they purchase are safe. I am optimistic that Senator Blumenthal will successfully lead its passage in the Senate.”
Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced a companion bill in the Senate.
Earlier this month, the CPSC released a new study that definitively linked the deaths of more than 70 infants to various inclined sleeper models. Following the release of the report, CPSC issued a new warning that parents and caregivers should stop using all inclined sleepers.
Academy of Pediatrics has long recommended that babies sleep on their backs on a flat, firm surface without any other bedding or restraints. On April 12 and April 26, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued recalls of the Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play and Kids II Rocking Sleeper, respectively, but there are other inclined sleep products that remain on the market. This is a problem for consumers like grandparents and parents who will assume the products that remain in stores and on the market are somehow safer than the ones that have been recalled.
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