Rhode Island § 23-25-38 - Pesticide Control

§ 23-25-38. Pesticide applications and notification of pesticide applications at pre-schools and child care centers.

(a) On and after July 1, 2003, no application of pesticide may be made by any person other than a certified or licensed commercial applicator as defined in § 23-25-4 in any building or on the grounds of any pre-school, child day care center, group/family day care home or family day care home, during regular business hours. No child enrolled at such center or home may enter an area where pesticides have been applied until it is safe to do so according to the provisions on the pesticide label. For purposes of this section, emergency shall mean a sudden need to mitigate or eliminate a pest which threatens the health or safety of a student or staff member. This section shall not apply to the use of germicides, disinfectants, sanitizers, deodorizers, antimicrobal agents, insecticidal gels, non-volatile insect or rodent bait in a tamper resistant container, insect repellants, insecticidal disks, or the application of a pesticide classified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as an exempt material under 40 CFR part 152.25.

(b) On and after July 1, 2002, notice of any pesticide application at any such center or home shall be given, by any means practicable, to the parents or guardians of any child enrolled at the center or home not later than twenty-four (24) hours before the application. The notice shall include: (1) the common or trade name and the name of the active ingredient; (2) the EPA registration number as listed on the pesticide label; (3) the target pest; (4) the exact location of the application on the property; (5) the date of the application; and (6) the name of the pre-school or child care center owner/operator or their designee.