H.R. 1692 "To Amend the CPSIA to Exempt Ordinary Books..."

It is still amazing to me that Congress passed CPSIA in the first place. But it is even more amazing that they refuse to fix the mess they have created. Since it doesn't appear that we will get them to repeal the entire law any time soon, it looks like the best we can hope for is small fixes -- in some cases, very small fixes.

Such is the case with H.R. 1692...It will not make major improvements, but it will help some. Congressman Fortenberry's amendment admits that Congress did not intend CPSIA to apply to ordinary books (defined as those printed using conventional methods and intended to be read, not played with). It also points out that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that books pose minimal risk.

As has been the pattern with this law, this amendment does not answer all the questions it will bring up. My first question is, which books does it apply to? Those that are printed from this point forward? Those that were printed after 1985? Or all books?

As a reseller, an educator, and a mother, those are very important questions.

It is really a shame that we have to applaud efforts such as HR1692 in our push to get this law fixed. But, for now, at least, it seems the best we are going to be able to do....Please, Congress, pass this amendment, and any others that will do ANYTHING to fix this disaster!