HELP marks up two Gregg bills

By Max Heuer

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2002--The Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee approved a pile of bills Wednesday, two of which were sponsored by the committee's ranking Republican, Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH).

Gregg sponsored the bipartisan Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act with committee chairman. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act with Kennedy and Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT).

The food allergen legislation would require food companies to identify major food allergens on a product's label.

The second bill includes a reauthorization of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, which Gregg supports.

"Each year, close to one million children in the United States are abused or neglected," Gregg said in a press release. "These funds will help provide grants to states for additional training for child and family service workers."

The measure also includes new state requirements aimed at improving accountability and service.

Gregg also supported bills aimed at preventing birth defects and developmental disabilities, increasing funding for pharmacy education and adding funds for the Education Department for research and for new National Research and Development Centers. All three bills also were approved Wednesday.

Published in The Manchester Union Leader, in New Hampshire.