NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A1797
SPONSOR: Hyndman TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to hair relaxer
labeling
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill mandates that manufacturers place warning labels on hair
relaxers sold. in New York State if they contain carcinogens or repro-
ductive toxicants.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill amends the general business law by adding a new
section 391-x that requires hair relaxers containing certain carcinogens
or reproductive toxicants to include warning labels. This section
defines carcinogens as chemicals determined by a variety of national and
international scientific authorities to be known or likely carcinogens,
and reproductive toxicants as chemicals identified by recognized organ-
izations as causing reproductive or developmental harm.
Manufacturers of hair relaxers intended to be sold in New York must
label the product if it contains a chemical defined as a carcinogen or
reproductive toxicant. The warning label must be clear and conspicuous,
printed in a font size no smaller than 12-point, and must specify the
associated health risks.
The attorney general's office is granted the authority to enforce this
rule through injunctions and civil penalties. Initial violations will
result in a civil penalty of up to $250 per unit, with subsequent
violations incurring penalties of up to $500 per unit.
Section 2 establishes an effective date of 18 months after this act
shall have become a law.
JUSTIFICATION:
Many women in communities of color utilize hair relaxers designed to
chemically straighten hair. It has been for some time that show these
products can contain caustic chemicals that can damage flair or cause
scalp burns. Unfortunately, many of these products contain even note
dangerous chemicals. Recent studies by the Environmental Working Group
and others, including studies published in peer reviewed journals, have
found that many of these products contain known carcinogens.
These products also can contain chemicals that mimic human reproductive
hormones, including chemicals implicated by a number of studies with
causing reproductive ailments such as uterine fibroids. Studies have
also shown that many who work in the beauty industry also suffer from
exposure to harmful chemicals in the products they use in their busi-
ness.
It is critically important for women to be able to make informed choices
about the products they utilize. In order to ensure that women have the
information they need, this legislation would mandate that the manufac-
turers of hair relaxers place warning labels on their products if those
products contain chemicals found to be possible carcinogens or reproduc-
tive toxicants. The legislation gives the Attorney General the power to
enforce this labelling requirement. Any hair straightening products that
don't use toxic substances will riot have to have warning labels. With
this information in hand, consumers and businesses will have a chance to
protect their own long-term health or that of their workers by being
able to make informed choices about which hair relaxing products they
utilize.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: A2574
2021-22: A2635
2019-20: A3877
2017-18: A11164/S8970
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This law shall take effect 18 months after it shall have become a law,
provided that effective immediately, the addition, amendment, and/or
repeal of any regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on
its effective date is authorized to be made on or before such a date.
