BILL NUMBER: S3529C
SPONSOR: FERNANDEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to the restriction
of certain substances in menstrual products
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would prohibit the use of certain restricted substances in
menstrual products including, but not limited to, talc, lead, and mercu-
ry. This legislation will also ban the use of such restricted substances
as a fragrance, colorant, dye, preservation, or other intentionally
added ingredient for the presentation of products.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS: Section 1 provides definitions.
Section 2 amends the general business law regarding restricted
substances in menstrual products.
Section 3 sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
An individual can use over 16,000 feminine hygiene products over the
course of their lifetime. This opens their body to an influx of all
types of chemicals and substances. This bill will prohibit the use of
certain chemicals, as determined by the Commissioner of Public Health,
in menstrual products. Such chemicals include, but are not limited to,
talc, mercury, and lead, all of which can cause complications to a
person's health. Under current law, there is a certain ambiguity on
which ingredients can be included in fragrances, colorants, dyes, or
preservatives. This bill would further prohibit the usage of any
restricted substances under the terminology of fragrances, colorants,
dyes, or preservatives.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22: S9379 / A2246
2020: A8529
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
TBD
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect twelve months after it shall have become a
law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment, and/or repeal of
any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on
its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before
such effective date.