School IPM: It's the Law!
Several northeastern states have passed laws that require the use of IPM or control how pesticides are used in schools. A written IPM plan must be adopted for every public school in Massachusetts, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, outlining policies and procedures to be followed for pest control applications.
State laws in Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia require schools to provide notification to parents, students, and teachers before pesticide applications can occur on school grounds. In Massachusetts, the Children and Families Protection Act places limits on the types of materials that can be used in pest control efforts on school grounds, and other states strongly encourage the use of nontoxic or least toxic measures. Delaware and Maine have special training or licensing requirements for those applying pesticides on school grounds, and several other states have agencies and programs that offer training and help with implementation of IPM plans.
The creation of significant school IPM legislation in some northeastern states (e.g., new laws in Pennsylvania and proposed regs in Maine) indicates that school IPM is a growing priority in the region.
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Contents for Northeast IPM News, November 2002