SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2766

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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

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SENATE, June 18, 2020.

The committee on Public Health to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1247) of Diana DiZoglio, Mathew J. Muratore and Viriato M. deMacedo for legislation to reduce exposure to BPA, reports recommending that the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2766) ought to pass.

 

For the committee,

Joanne M. Comerford



        FILED ON: 3/27/2020

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2766

 

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

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

_______________

 

An Act to reduce exposure to BPA.

 

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 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 233. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

“BPA”, the chemical bisphenol A

“BPS”, the chemical bisphenol S

“Person”, a natural person, individual, business, corporation, unincorporated association, firm, partnership, joint venture or other organization, entity or group of individuals.

"Safer alternative" means an alternative that is less hazardous to humans or the environment than the existing chemical or chemical process. A safer alternative to a particular chemical may include a chemical substitute or a change in materials or design that eliminates the need for a chemical alternative.

(b) After July 1, 2022, no person may manufacture, knowingly sell, offer for sale, distribute for sale, or distribute for use in Massachusetts thermal paper containing BPA or BPS.

(c) On or before June 30, 2021, the Toxics Use Reduction Institute shall evaluate: (1) hazards of chemical and nonchemical alternatives to BPA and BPS in cash register receipts; (2) identify safer alternatives to BPA and BPS. The Toxics Use Reduction Institute shall submit findings in a written report to the commissioner of public health and the joint committee on public health.

(d) To assist with identifying chemicals used in cash register receipts, the department of public health  may require manufacturers to submit coating ingredients, including chemical names and chemical abstract number to the department. The manufacturer shall provide the information requested no later than 3 months after receipt of such a demand by the department.

(e) On or before January 1, 2022, the Toxics Use Reduction Institute shall identify and submit an updated list of chemicals of concern used in thermal paper receipts. The department shall be authorized to restrict additional chemicals from use in thermal receipts, if the Toxics Use Reduction Institute finds that safer alternatives are feasible and available.

(f) The commissioner of public health shall promulgate rules and regulations as the commissioner considers necessary to implement this section.