Reese’s Law, Rep. Kelly’s Bill to Protect Children from Swallowing Button Batteries Advances in the House

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House Energy and Commerce Consumer Protection Subcommittee voted to advance Congresswoman Robin Kelly’s (IL-02), Reese’s Law during a legislative markup. The bill will now move to the full committee for a vote before advancing to the House floor. Reese’s Law is named in honor of Reese Hamsmith, an 18-month-old child who died after ingesting a button cell battery.

“Reese’s mother Trista came to me with a request to pass legislation that would prevent other mothers from going through what she’s experienced. Trista lost her daughter Reese after the child swallowed a button cell battery in December 2020. Her story is heartbreaking, especially because this tragedy was preventable,” said Congresswoman Robin Kelly. “Today, by advancing this bill to the full committee, we move one step closer to saving other children.”

Button and coin cell batteries are included in many children’s toys, remote controls and other household items that children have access to every day. If ingested, these batteries cause serious injuries that often become fatal. Products with these batteries currently lack proper safety standards warning parents and caregivers about the batteries.

Reese’s Law will require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to:

• Create performance standards requiring the compartments of a consumer product containing button cell or coin batteries to be secured in order to prevent access by children who are six years of age or younger;
• Require warning labels in literature accompanying the product, on the packaging, and directly on the product when practice so it is visible;
• Require warning labels to clearly identify the hazard of ingestion; and
• Require warning labels that instruct consumers to keep new and used batteries out of the reach of children and to seek immediate medical attention if a battery is ingested.

This legislation is endorsed by: Hallmark, the Toy Association, The American Academy of Pediatrics, Consumer Reports, Reese’s Purpose, Kids In Danger (KID), U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) and the Consumer Federation of America.

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