January 18, 2017 (CONCORD, NH) – In response to today’s vote in favor of Senate Bill 247, increasing safeguards to prevent lead poisoning, New Hampshire’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Coalition released the following statements:
“For too long, we’ve put New Hampshire kids on the front lines of this serious public health problem – risking their health and their futures with the permanent effects of lead poisoning,” said Tom Irwin, Director of the New Hampshire office of Conservation Law Foundation. “Today’s vote is a victory for kids across the state. And because childhood lead poisoning often has a disproportionate impact on low-income communities and people of color, creating yet another barrier to breaking the cycle of poverty, today’s vote is a victory for some of New Hampshire’s most vulnerable children and families. We look forward to seeing the Governor sign this important bill into law.”
“Today marks a major accomplishment of compromise and bipartisan cooperation to benefit New Hampshire’s children,” said Elliott Berry, Director of the Housing Justice Project at New Hampshire Legal Assistance. “This is New Hampshire’s strongest step yet toward preventing toxic lead poisoning and the lifelong damage it can cause to children, families and communities. I’m grateful to all of our partners who made this possible, and to the governor for his support of SB 247 and I look forward to his signing the bill.”
“The Senate deserves our sincere thanks for standing up for New Hampshire’s children and families today and voting to pass SB 247,” said Jake Berry, Vice President of Policy at New Futures. “Lead poisoning has a lifelong, detrimental impact on the health and wellness of New Hampshire’s children. SB 247 takes important steps in updating New Hampshire’s lead law and safeguarding our children. We look forward to seeing this bill on Governor Sununu’s desk.”
Additionally, Claremont Mayor Charlene Lovett, released the following regarding the Senate vote today on SB 247:
“It has been a privilege to work with so many people committed to protecting our children’s health and their ability to succeed educationally and, in later years, professionally,” said Mayor Lovett. “I am very grateful to the Senate and House for their work on this bill, and look forward to the Governor signing it.”
ABOUT CONSERVATION LAW FOUNDATION
Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) protects New England’s environment for the benefit of all people. CLF uses the law, science and the market to create solutions that preserve our natural resources, build healthy and vibrant communities and sustain a vibrant economy.
ABOUT NEW HAMPSHIRE LEGAL ASSISTANCE
New Hampshire Legal Assistance is a state-wide non-profit law firm representing low-income and elderly New Hampshire residents who cannot afford a lawyer. NHLA maintains offices in Berlin, Claremont, Concord, Manchester and Portsmouth.
ABOUT NEW FUTURES
New Futures is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that advocates, educates and collaborates to improve the health and wellness of all New Hampshire residents through policy change.
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