THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	99
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the auditor to CONDUCT a study to determine the effects of industry regulation and safety standards on recreational inflatable play structures for children.

     WHEREAS, inflatable rides, slides, and bounce houses have become popular rental attractions at children's parties throughout the State; and

     WHEREAS, though operators in this unregulated industry believe that these types of play structures are relatively safe, serious accidents have occurred as a result of the rising use of these inflatables; and

     WHEREAS, in June of 2007, two children narrowly escaped serious injury when an inflatable bounce house they were playing in broke loose and was blown approximately fifty yards offshore into the ocean off Ma‘ili on Oahu; and

     WHEREAS, according to a recent analysis by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, inflatable rides were involved in an estimated 4,900 injuries in 2004; and

     WHEREAS, the Consumer Product Safety Commission had reports of four fatalities from inflatable amusement rides between 2002 and 2005; and

     WHEREAS, while there are many well-made products available in this industry, there are also many sub par products as well; and

     WHEREAS, it is imperative that adequate training is available to individuals installing or setting up the inflatable play structures; and

     WHEREAS, regulations and safety standards need to be implemented and consistent throughout the industry in order to decrease the risk of injury and death to children; and

     WHEREAS, operators in the business of renting inflatables often have difficulty finding insurance coverage due to the lack of regulation in the field; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Auditor is requested to conduct a study to determine the effects of industry regulation and safety standards on recreational inflatable play structures for children; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor's study shall also include an evaluation of whether licensure should be required of businesses and operators of inflatable play structures and whether it falls under section 26H-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requiring an Auditor's review as a profession or vocation; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2009; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Auditor, the Director of Health, and the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Requests the auditor to study the regulation of the effects of industry regulation of recreational inflatable play structures for children.