According to ISSA reports, green cleaning continues to capture the attention of state governments as both Maryland and Illinois legislatures are entertaining green cleaning legislation that was recently introduced in both states.

Maryland
State Delegate Nic Kipke, Anne Arundel County, introduced legislation that would require Maryland County Boards of Education to procure and use green cleaning products in schools.

As currently drafted, the Maryland legislation (HB 596) defines green cleaning products as “cleaning and sanitizing supplies that perform well and that have positive environmental attributes.” The legislation directs County Boards to draft specifications that would more specifically define green cleaning products for purposes of procurement.

ISSA has urged State Delegate Kipke to revise the legislation to require such specifications to recognize “multiple avenues” in defining green cleaning products, similar to the approach taken by Illinois, which recognizes Green Seal, Environmental Choice and the U.S. EPA Design for the Environment.

Illinois
Following on the coattails of the Illinois Green Cleaning for Schools Act adopted in 2007, Rep. Karen May has introduced HB 4812 that would require every state owned building to establish a green cleaning policy. The bill would require all state buildings to purchase and use “environmentally sensitive” cleaning products consistent with the Guidelines recently issued by the Illinois Green Government Coordinating Council.

HB 4812 was introduced on February 6 and was referred to the Rules Committee.