HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1831        FILED ON: 1/17/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3485

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Claire D. Cronin

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to protect children from detergent poisoning.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1831        FILED ON: 1/17/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3485

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 1145 OF 2017-2018.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

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An Act to protect children from detergent poisoning.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Chapter 111 is hereby amended by inserting after Section 5S the following:

Section 5T. Definitions; standards for the sale of liquid detergent packets.

For the purpose of this section the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:

“Detergent packet”, means a consumer product that consists of a detergent enclosed in a water soluble outer layer.

“Liquid detergent packet” means a consumer product that consists of a substantially liquid or gel detergent enclosed in a water soluble outer layer.

Not later than 120 days after the passage of this Act, the Department shall promulgate regulations to establish safety standards for liquid detergent packets to protect children from injury or illness caused by exposure to such packets.  Such regulations shall include, but not be limited to: standards to address the design and color of liquid detergent packets to make them less attractive to children; reduce the likelihood of exposure to detergent; reduce risks related to the ingestion or aspiration of, or ocular contact with, detergent and other potential injury risks of liquid detergent packets; include standards to address the composition of liquid detergent packets to make the consequences of exposure less severe; and prescribe warning labels that adequately inform consumers of the potential risks of injury and death caused by liquid detergent packets, which are conspicuous and visible at the point of sale, clarify hazard patterns, including known consequences of such hazards; and identify actions needed to avoid injury.

No liquid detergent packet shall be distributed, sold, offered or exposed for sale at retail or wholesale establishments unless it meets the requirements of this Act.