2015 -- H 5693

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LC001409

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PROHIBITION OF CONTAINERS USING

BISPHENOL A

     Introduced By: Representatives Handy, Maldonado, Tanzi, Regunberg, and Edwards

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2015

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 94

PROHIBITION OF CONTAINERS USING BISPHENOL A

     23-94-1. Definitions. -- As used in this chapter:

     (1) "Bisphenol A" means a synthetic organic compound used in the manufacture of epoxy

resins and other polymers.

     (2) "Child" means a person twelve (12) years of age or younger.

     (3) "Reusable food or beverage container" means a receptacle for storing food or

beverages, including, but not limit to, spill-proof cups, sports bottles, and thermoses. The term

does not include food or beverage containers intended for disposal after initial usage.

     (4) "Food packaging" means a container or wrapper intended for food contact used to

store food and foodstuffs for sale.

     (5) "Canned food" means food sterilized by heat in a closed, durable container such as tin

and aluminum cans, flexible aluminum foil and thermoplastic containers including squeeze tubes.

     23-94-2. Food containers containing bisphenol A prohibited. -- Beginning January 1,

2016, no person or entity shall manufacture, sell, or distribute in commerce in this state any

reusable food or beverage container containing bisphenol A.

     23-94-3. Food packaged in containers with bisphenol A prohibited. -- Beginning

January 1, 2016, no person or entity shall manufacture, sell, or distribute in commerce in this state

any food intended for or marketed to children that is stored in food packaging that contains

bisphenol A.

     23-94-4. Bisphenol A replacements prohibited. -- (a) Manufacturers shall not replace

bisphenol A, pursuant to this section, with carcinogens rated by the U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA) as A, B, or C carcinogens or substances listed on the EPA's "List of

Chemicals Evaluated for Carcinogenic Potential" as known or likely carcinogens, known to be

human carcinogens, likely to be human carcinogens, or suggestive of being carcinogens.

     (b) Manufacturers shall not replace bisphenol A, pursuant to this section, with

reproductive toxicants that the EPA has identified as causing birth defects, reproductive harm, or

developmental harm.

     (c) Manufacturers shall not replace bisphenol A, pursuant to this section, with endocrine

disrupting chemicals identified by the European commission on the environment.

     (d) The director of the department of health shall create a process whereby citizens can

petition for additional chemicals to be added to the list of prohibited bisphenol A replacements in

reusable food and beverage containers based on scientific evidence demonstrating harm or

potential for harm from those alternatives.

     23-94-5. Bisphenol A label required. -- Beginning January 1, 2016, all food packaging

that contains bisphenol A shall display a label on the front of the package stating "this package

contains bisphenol A, a chemical that may harm fetal development, which can leach into the

food."

     23-94-6. Penalties and enforcement. -- (a) Anyone violating or failing to comply with

any of the requirements of this chapter shall be punished by a fine not to exceed five thousand

dollars ($5,000).

     (b) The director may seek legal, injunctive, or other equitable relief to enforce this

chapter.

     (c) The remedies and penalties provided in this section are cumulative and not exclusive.

     23-94-7. Severability. -- If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any

person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or

application of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application,

and to this end the provisions of this chapter are severable.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PROHIBITION OF CONTAINERS USING

BISPHENOL A

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     This act would prohibit the use of containers, or food packaged in containers that contain

bisphenol A.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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