City of Philadelphia - File #: 200425-A

• File #: 200425-A
• Version: 2
• Type: Bill
• Status: ENACTED
• File created: 9/10/2020
• In control: Committee on Public Health and Human Services
• Final action: 12/3/2020
• Title: Amending Title 6 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Health Code," by creating a new Chapter 6-1300 entitled "Healthy Outdoor Public Spaces," to promote a healthy environment that protects the public from the risks of toxic herbicides by prohibiting their use on all city-owned or used public grounds including but not limited to parks, trails, recreation centers, and playgrounds; establishing reporting requirements; and establishing a private right of action, all under certain terms and conditions.
• Sponsors: Councilmember Bass, Councilmember Parker, Councilmember Jones, Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, Councilmember Domb, Councilmember Brooks, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Gauthier

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
1/28/2021	2	MAYOR	NO ACTION TAKEN
12/3/2020	1	CITY COUNCIL	READ AND PASSED	Pass	17:0
11/19/2020	1	CITY COUNCIL	READ
11/19/2020	2	CITY COUNCIL	AMENDED
11/19/2020	2	CITY COUNCIL	ORDERED PLACED ON FINAL PASSAGE CALENDAR FOR NEXT MEETING.
11/12/2020	1	CITY COUNCIL	ORDERED PLACED ON THIS DAY`S FIRST READING CALENDAR
11/12/2020	1	CITY COUNCIL	READ AND ORDERED PLACED ON NEXT WEEK'S SECOND READING CALENDAR
10/30/2020	1	Committee on Public Health and Human Services
10/30/2020	0	Committee on Public Health and Human Services
10/30/2020	0	Committee on Public Health and Human Services
10/30/2020	0	Committee on Public Health and Human Services
10/13/2020	0	Committee on Public Health and Human Services
10/13/2020	0	Committee on Public Health and Human Services
9/10/2020	0	CITY COUNCIL	Introduced and Referred

Title
Amending Title 6 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Health Code," by creating a new Chapter 6-1300 entitled "Healthy Outdoor Public Spaces," to promote a healthy environment that protects the public from the risks of toxic herbicides by prohibiting their use on all city-owned or used public grounds including but not limited to parks, trails, recreation centers, and playgrounds; establishing reporting requirements; and establishing a private right of action, all under certain terms and conditions.

Body
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:

SECTION 1. The Council makes the following findings.

(1) As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and in an effort to avoid spreading the virus as city residents shelter in place, unprecedented numbers of people of all ages are seeking exercise, recreation, and access to natural beauty in the over 10,400 acres that comprise city parks and public grounds. It is imperative that parks be free of toxic substances, which have been shown in scientific studies to cause disease and compromise immune systems.

(2) Healthy, sustainably, and organically managed soils increase organic nutrients and soil microorganisms, allowing grasses and other desirable plants to out-compete other plant species over time, ultimately resulting in a reduction of weeds and pests. Implementation of organic land management practices complements important goals established by the City in "Greenworks: A Vision for a Sustainable Philadelphia, 2016" that affirm the right of all Philadelphians to have access to healthy food and clean water, in addition to greenspace and healthy waterways.

(3) Philadelphia currently uses synthetic herbicides, including glyphosate and 2,4-D, throughout its park system, trails, recreation centers, playgrounds, and other publicly owned land.

(4) Scientific studies conducted by the World Health Organization, the National Academy of Sciences and the National Research Council, among others, have linked exposu...