Portman’s bipartisan bill banning crib bumpers to become law

Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) banning the sale of padded crib bumpers is headed to the White House to be signed into law by President Joe Biden as part of a related bill. 

“The use of padded crib bumpers poses an unnecessary threat to the health and safety of infants everywhere, there is no reason the sale of these items should continue,” Sen. Portman said on May 4. “I am pleased that this legislation is finally heading to the president’s desk.”

The Safe Cribs Act, S. 1259, which Sen. Portman cosponsored in April 2021 with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), received U.S. Senate approval on May 3 as part of the Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2021, H.R. 3182, which will make it unlawful to manufacture, sell or distribute crib bumpers or inclined sleepers for infants, according to the congressional record bill summary.

H.R. 3182 received approval from the U.S. House of Representatives last summer and is now on its way to the president to be signed into law.  

“I urge him to sign it into law quickly so that we may immediately begin protecting infants from the unnecessary and unacceptable risk of these products,” said Sen. Portman.

Sen. Portman’s S. 1259 in April 2021 received approval from the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and the Senate passed it in March. The House in June 2021 approved H.R. 3182, which contained identical language to S. 1259.

The legislation received endorsements from the American Academy of Pediatrics, Kids in Danger, the Consumer Federation of American, and Breathable Baby.