Jackson, MS-Throughout the year, but especially at Christmas time, parents are concerned about the safety of the toys their children are playing with.  As a father of three, as well as Attorney General of the State of Mississippi, Jim Hood shares the same concerns and is joining 34 other Attorneys General in urging Congress to support legislation that strengthens federal standards on lead contaminated toys and other products and grants authority to state attorneys general to enforce these federal regulations.

The 35 Attorneys General have sent a letter to the Honorable John D. Dingell, Chairman, United States House of Representatives, House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Honorable Daniel K. Inouye, Chairman, United States Senate, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation commenting on certain aspects of bills before the United States Congress, Senate Bill 2045 and House Bill 4040. 

The joint letter states, “As the chief law enforcement officers of our respective States, we have a strong and abiding interest in protecting our citizens from dangerous consumer products, especially the most vulnerable of our citizens-infants and young children.  That interest extends to working as partners with the federal government to enforce consumer safety laws.  Therefore, we believe it is imperative that any new legislation provide the authority for our Offices to enforce federally prescribed standards and that those standards be rigorous.  It is equally important that this legislation allow enforcement of our own consumer protection laws as long as those are not clearly inconsistent with federal law.”

“I want parents to know that we are doing everything we can to strengthen our laws in this area,” said Attorney General Jim Hood.  “Still, parents need to be pro-active and regularly check the recall lists provided by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).  That’s the best way to ensure your little ones are kept safe from dangerous toys.”

Visit the Consumer Product Safety Commissionwebsite for more information..