Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks

This executive order directs federal agencies to prioritize identifying and assessing environmental health and safety risks that disproportionately affect children. It establishes an interagency Task Force co-chaired by HHS and EPA, mandates regulatory impact analyses for children's health in significant rulemakings, and creates an annual reporting mechanism on child well-being indicators.

Federal Register Open PDF 62 FR 19885

Impact dates

Oct 19, 2000
Task Force continuation assessment due (6 months before 4-year expiration)
Apr 21, 1999
Biennial report on research and data needs for children's environmental health
Oct 21, 1997
Task Force research database review and access plan due
Jul 31, 1997
First annual Report to President from Interagency Forum

Key directives

Federal agencies shall make children's environmental health risks a high priority
Task Force to recommend federal strategies with Co-Chairs from HHS and EPA
Covered regulatory actions must include children's health evaluation and alternatives analysis
Task Force to prepare biennial report on research and data needs
OMB Director to convene Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics for annual well-being report

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Task Force establishment
revocation of Executive Order 12606

Near term (90d)

First annual Report to President due by July 31, 1997
6-month research database review plan due (October 21, 1997)

Long term

Biennial reports on children's environmental health research
Task Force assessment of continuation need by October 1999
Annual child well-being reports continuing indefinitely
4-year Task Force sunset (2001)

Risks & tensions

Encouragement but not requirement for independent regulatory agencies reduces coverage
Emergency/lawfully compelled actions exempted from full analysis (Section 5-502)
No private right of action created, limiting enforcement (Section 7-701)
'To the extent permitted by law' qualifiers throughout create implementation uncertainty
Vague 'high priority' language lacks binding metrics or accountability mechanisms