Child Safe Products Act gains momentum

By Kelly Fay

A bill that would ban certain chemicals in children's toys continues to gain support in the Senate, leaving advocates hopeful the legislation will be passed before the end of session. The Child Safe Products Act has been approved by the Assembly in the past, and now has 40 sponsors from both sides of the aisle in the Senate, where just 32 votes are needed to pass.

The bill (S.04614) would establish 10 priority chemicals including lead, mercury and arsenic. In the first year, companies would be required to test their products for those chemicals, and alert consumers of their presence. In subsequent years, an outright ban on the sale of toys containing any of the toxins would be imposed — additional toxins can be added to the list every three years.

The bill is currently in the Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Sen. John DeFrancisco, R-Syracuse. Senate sponsor of the legislation, Phil Boyle, said he has discussed the bill with DeFrancisco and is hopeful the senator will sign off on the legislation before the end of session, bringing it one step closer to a floor vote.


http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2014-06-17-88315.113122-Child-Safe-Products-Act-gains-momentum.html


This should have been passed years ago.