Environmental Justice Bills Pass Senate, Fall Short in Assembly
New York State has the power to safeguard our health, protect our environment, and transform the whole US marketplace when it limits toxic chemicals in products or requires information. While passage of the following key bills in one house represents great progress, they fell short of passage by the full legislature. While some key opportunities to protect human health and shift markets were missed, these bills will be pursued in 2025.
PFAS Ban in Consumer Products: Bans PFAS “forever chemicals” in items we use often like dental floss, cleaning products, textiles, rugs, ski wax and more, where safer solutions are already easily available. It passed the Senate, but didn’t get its vote on the Assembly floor. New York needs to join the growing list of states (including VT, CT, and MA) that are banning these completely unnecessary uses of chemicals that cause or contribute to cancer, infertility, neurological problems, weakened immune systems and more.
PFAS and Toxics in Menstrual Products: Bans toxic chemicals in menstrual products, such as: PFAS “forever chemicals”, lead, mercury, and formaldehyde. The Senate passed this bill unanimously twice (it was amended right at the end) and had over 90 of 150 Assembly cosponsors, but sadly, the clock ran out on the Assembly floor.
Enhanced Public Participation: Requires the inclusion of a public participation plan for major projects located near disadvantaged communities in order for applications to be considered. This bill complements the previously passed Cumulative Impacts law to promote environmental justice. This bill passed the Senate.
Lead Paint Right to Know: Ensures that testing for lead based paint in homes occurs before they are sold, so buyers have this vital information before moving in. It passed overwhelmingly in the Assembly.
Packaging Reduction & Recycling Infrastructure Act: New York City alone produces 14 million tons of trash/year. This bill shifts the cost and responsibility from cities and towns to the companies that produce the packaging in the first place, requires packaging reduction, development of infrastructure for reusable packaging, and for use of recycled content materials. It passed the Senate.
