I
103D CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 1494
To establish a national policy prohibiting the location of new public schools
and child care centers on real property where the electromagnetic field
exceeds an average 2 milligauss per day, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 25, 1993
Mr. MILLER of California introduced the following bill; which was referred to
the Committee on Education and Labor
DECEMBER 17, 1993
Additional sponsors: Mrs. MALONEY, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas,
Mrs. CLAYTON, Ms. FURSE, and Mr. SMITH of New Jersey
A BILL
To establish a national policy prohibiting the location of
new public schools and child care centers on real prop-
erty where the electromagnetic field exceeds an average
2 milligauss per day, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Children’s Electro-
magnetic Field Risk Reduction Act of 1993’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) According to reputable medical and sci-
entific studies, exposure to weak low-frequency elec-
tromagnetic fields can affect living cells and systems
and produce biological changes.
(2) Although experts disagree on the extent of
the danger posed by electromagnetic fields, a grow-
ing body of scientific evidence suggests that there
may be a connection between cancer, particularly
childhood cancer, and exposure to electromagnetic
fields from high current lines.
(3) Studies have shown that the greater the
dose of electromagnetic field exposure, the greater
the incidence of cancer, particularly in children. Sci-
entific evidence has demonstrated that children with
prolonged exposure to the weakest electromagnetic
field, calculated at less than 1 milligauss, had the
lowest incidence of cancer, while those exposed to
fields of 2 milligauss were three times as likely to
develop cancer, and children exposed to fields of 3
milligauss were four times as likely to develop
cancer.
(4) Until the scientific effect of the bioeffects of
electromagnetic fields is conclusively determined, it
is prudent to take actions to reduce the potential
risk of electromagnetic fields to children.
SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY.
(a) IN GENERAL.—It is the policy of the United
States that any public school or child care facility con-
structed, accredited, or opened after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act shall be located on real property where
the electromagnetic field is less than an average 2
milligauss per day.
(b) STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this
section shall be construed to prohibit the establishment by
any State of more stringent requirements with respect to
electromagnetic fields near schools and child care facili-
ties.
SEC. 4. DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION.
The Secretary of Education shall develop and dis-
seminate to State and local educational agencies advisory
medical and scientific information concerning the potential
health risk to children of electromagnetic fields.
SEC. 5. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act—
(1) The term ‘‘school’’ means—
(A) any elementary or secondary school (as
such terms are defined in sections 1471(8) and
1471(21) of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965) owned and operated by
1 or more nonprofit corporations or associations
no part of the net earnings of which inures, or
may lawfully inure, to the benefit of any private
shareholder or individual; and
(B) any school of the United States.
(2) The term ‘‘child care facility’’ means a facil-
ity that is licensed, regulated, or registered under
State or local law for the provision of child care
services.
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