SENATE DOCKET, NO. 393        FILED ON: 1/29/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1423

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Diana DiZoglio

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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 reduce exposure to BPA.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 393        FILED ON: 1/29/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1423

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1247 OF 2019-2020.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

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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

“BPAF”, the chemical bisphenol AF

“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, BPS or BPAF.

(c) On or before June 30, 2021, the Toxics Use Reduction Institute shall evaluate: (1) hazards of chemical and nonchemical alternatives to BPA, BPS and BPAF in cash register receipts; (2) identify safer alternatives to BPA, BPS and BPAF. 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.