The Safe Playing Fields Act aims to restrict the use of lawn care pesticides at child care centers and certain schools to protect the health of young children. Under this bill, lawn care pesticides cannot be applied on the grounds of any child care center, including playgrounds and recreational fields, except in emergency situations that pose an immediate threat to human health. Additionally, children will not be allowed access to areas treated with pesticides for at least seven hours post-application. The bill also prohibits the use of lawn care pesticides at schools enrolling students in kindergarten through eighth grade, again allowing exceptions only for emergencies as determined by school officials in consultation with local health officers.

To support these restrictions, the bill mandates that the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, in collaboration with the Commissioner of Health, develop rules and regulations regarding pesticide application, record keeping, and notification procedures for staff and parents at child care centers. The definitions provided in the bill clarify that lawn care pesticides are those intended for use on lawns and gardens, while low impact pesticides are excluded from this definition. The act is set to take effect on the first day of the 13th month following its enactment.