RECOGNIZING SIGNIFICANT HEALTH CONCERNS REGARDING WATER BEAD TOYS AND URGING THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO TAKE REGULATORY ACTION.

Children Education

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Heffernan
Last action: 2025-06-30
Official status: Passed House 6/30/25
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The resolution's impact on specific regulations or educational materials remains unspecified in the provided text.

Recognizing Health Risks from Water Beads

This resolution acknowledges that water beads pose serious health risks to children and pets, and it asks the Delaware Department of Education to create rules to prevent their use in child care facilities.

What This Bill Does

It recognizes significant health concerns related to water bead toys.
It urges the Delaware Department of Education to take regulatory action regarding these toys.

Who It Names or Affects

Children and pets
Child care providers

Terms To Know

water beads: Tiny balls made of polymer material that can grow very large when wet, posing choking hazards.
regulatory action: Rules or laws made by a government agency to control something.

Limits and Unknowns

The resolution does not create new laws but urges the Department of Education to make rules.
It does not specify exact actions beyond urging regulatory changes and education efforts.

Bill History

2025-06-30 Delaware General Assembly
Passed By House. Votes: 40 YES 1 VACANT
2025-06-26 Delaware General Assembly
Reported Out of Committee (Education) in House with 8 On Its Merits
2025-06-25 Delaware General Assembly
Introduced and Assigned to Education Committee in House

Official Summary Text

RECOGNIZING SIGNIFICANT HEALTH CONCERNS REGARDING WATER BEAD TOYS AND URGING THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO TAKE REGULATORY ACTION.
This Concurrent Resolution recognizes the significant health concerns regarding water bead toys and urges the Delaware Department of Education to take regulatory action to keep children safe.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Heffernan & Sen. Cruce

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 76

RECOGNIZING SIGNIFICANT HEALTH CONCERNS REGARDING WATER BEAD TOYS AND URGING THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO TAKE REGULATORY ACTION.

WHEREAS, a nationwide uproar has ensued due to the health and safety risks posed to children and pets by water bead toys; and

WHEREAS, water beads are tiny balls made out of polymer material that are often sold in children’s toys; and

WHEREAS, if ingested water beads can grow up to 100 times their original size when exposed to water which can cause choking, internal injuries, and death if undetected; and

WHEREAS, some of the symptoms of consuming a water bead are vomiting, dehydration, intestinal blockages, and other life-threatening injuries; and

WHEREAS, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that parents and caregivers take these products away from children aged 3 years or younger, and only allow supervised play for older children; and

WHEREAS, Delaware’s Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) has broad authority to establish reasonable health and safety regulations for licensed child care providers under existing law; and

WHEREAS, education through tools like online microlearning opportunities can help child care providers and families identify water beads, understand the dangers, and take preventive measures to keep children safe; and

WHEREAS, increased education, coupled with specific regulatory guidance, will help ensure a safer environment for Delaware’s youngest children.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 153rd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that the General Assembly urges the Delaware Department of Education and the Office of Child Care Licensing to revise the Early Care and Education Center and School-Age regulations and the Family and Large Family Child Care regulations to include a prohibition on water beads in child care facilities.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Assembly encourages the Department of Education to develop a microlearning opportunity to educate child care professionals and families about the risks of water beads and other similar hazards.

SYNOPSIS

This Concurrent Resolution recognizes the significant health concerns regarding water bead toys and urges the Delaware Department of Education to take regulatory action to keep children safe.