Bill > A626

This bill prohibits the sale, distribution, import, or manufacture of any "children's product," defined as a product designed or intended for a child's care or use, or to come into contact with a child during use, that contains lead, mercury, or cadmium, specifically for children under the age of 6. Manufacturers, distributors, and importers are required to immediately recall any such products they discover, and the Director of Consumer Affairs will also issue recalls upon discovery. Retail stores must remove recalled products from display within 48 hours and return them to the supplier within 14 business days, with the cost borne by the supplier. Manufacturers, distributors, or importers must then destroy recalled products within 60 business days in a way that renders them useless and safely disposes of them. Violations of the sales prohibition are considered unlawful practices, while violations of recall and destruction requirements can lead to criminal charges, escalating from a fourth-degree crime for a first offense to a second-degree crime for subsequent offenses. The bill will take effect seven months after being enacted.