BILL NUMBER: S8743
SPONSOR: CLEARE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to lithium-ion
battery safety resources
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is require the Department of State ("DOS") to
work with the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
("DHSES") and the New York State Energy Research and
Development'Authority ("NYSERDA") to develop safety resources and post
on their website information and protocols designed to educate the
public on how to respond and deal with emergencies involving lithium-ion
batteries.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 adds a new § 495-b to the general business law to:
*Require the DOS to work with DHSES and NYSERDA to develop and maintain
safety resources, information and protocols in regard to the safe use
and charging of lithium-ion batteries.
*DOS must post the safety resources, information, and protocols on their
website
*The resources and information should be designed to educate the public
on how to respond to emergency situations regarding the use and charging
of lithium-ion batteries and devices with electric assist.
*Resources should include but not be limited to, charging tips, informa-
tion on how to safely dispose of lithium-ion batteries, and handling and
prevention of lithium-ion battery related fires.
Section 2 provides the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries have increased over the last few
years throughout New York State, particularly impacting New York City.
In order to decrease the amount of lithium-ion battery caused fires,
consumers and sellers alike need to be better informed about how to use
and charge lithium-ion batteries and the products the batteries power.
Informational materials regarding proper usage and charging of the
batteries and how to respond to fires and other emergencies caused by
lithium-ion batteries are necessary to properly educate the public to
further reduce incidences of lithium-ion battery fires and ensure proper
product safety is maintained.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall become
law.