Simon, Gallagher, Glick, Shimsky, Reyes, Cruz, Levenberg, Walker, Taylor, Raga, De Los Santos
MLTSPNSR
Add §267-c, Pub Health L
Relates to the menstrual product safety and research act and its creation of a research program to determine the risks posed from potential toxins in menstrual products.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A1303
SPONSOR: Rosenthal TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to the creation of a
research program to determine the risks posed from potential toxins in
menstrual products; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon
expiration thereof
PURPOSE:
This bill will establish a four-year research program through the New
York State Department of Health to determine the extent to which the
presence of dioxins, synthetic fibers, chlorine, and other components
pose health risks to individuals using menstrual products.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section one identifies the short title of the bill, as the Tampon Safety
and Research Act.
Section two amends Title 6 of article 2 of the public health law by
adding a new section 267.
Section three sets forth the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Over the course of a lifetime, the average menstruating individual uses
as many as 16,800 tampons; whereas an individual on menopausal hormone
therapy may use as many as 24,360 tampons. Menstrual products are a
necessity; thus it is essential to examine the impact they may have on
human health. We cannot prove whether diseases such as cervical cancer,
endometriosis, infertility and ovarian cancer may be linked to feminine
hygiene product use.
This bill establishes a four-year research program through the Depart-
ment of Health to determine whether the presence of dioxins, synthetic
fibers, chlorine, and other components pose any health risks to those
who use menstrual products.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2022-23: A.512-A - Referred to Health
2021-22: A.463 - Referred to Health
2019-20: A.689 - Referred to Health
2017-18: A.572 - Referred to Health
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Undetermined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the nineteenth day after it shall have
become law and shall expire and be deemed repealed five years after such
date.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
1303
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. ROSENTHAL, SIMON, GALLAGHER, GLICK, SHIMSKY,
REYES, CRUZ, LEVENBERG, WALKER, TAYLOR, RAGA, DE LOS SANTOS -- read
once and referred to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to the creation of a
research program to determine the risks posed from potential toxins in
menstrual products; and providing for the repeal of such provisions
upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
2 "the menstrual product safety and research act".
3 § 2. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 267-c to
4 read as follows:
5 § 267-c. Menstrual product safety and research. 1. For purposes of
6 this section, the term "menstrual products" means tampons, pads, liners,
7 cups, sponges, douches, wipes, sprays, and similar products used in
8 conjunction with respect to menstruation or other genital-tract
9 secretions.
10 2. The commissioner shall provide for the conduct or support of
11 research by the department to determine the extent to which the presence
12 of dioxins, synthetic fibers, chlorine, and other components (including
13 contaminants and substances used as fragrances, colorants, dyes, and
14 preservatives) in menstrual products:
15 (a) poses any risks to the health of individuals who use the products,
16 including risks relating to cervical cancer, endometriosis, infertility,
17 ovarian cancer, breast cancer, immune system deficiencies, pelvic
18 inflammatory disease, toxic shock syndrome, and bacterial and yeast
19 infections; and
20 (b) poses any risks to the health of biological children born to indi-
21 viduals who used such products during or before the pregnancies
22 involved, including risks relating to fetal and childhood development.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03818-01-5
A. 1303 2
1 3. Research under subdivision two of this section shall include
2 research to confirm the data on menstrual products submitted to the
3 United States food and drug administration by manufacturers of such
4 products.
5 4. Such research projects shall be completed within four years of the
6 effective date of this section.
7 5. Within one year of the completion of such research, any conclu-
8 sions, recommendations and proposals for implementing such recommenda-
9 tions shall be transmitted to the governor, the temporary president of
10 the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the chair of the senate health
11 committee, and the chair of the assembly health committee, and shall
12 also be made available to the public.
13 § 3. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
14 have become a law and shall expire and be deemed repealed five years
15 after such date.
