Bill > H2068

This bill requires dry cleaning businesses that use chemical solvents to disclose specific information to customers, neighbors, and employees by January 1, 2016, to inform them about the composition and potential risks of these chemicals. A "dry cleaner" is defined as a business that cleans garments, and a "dry cleaning solvent" is any chemical other than water used for this purpose, including common ones like perchloroethylene and n-propyl bromide, as well as others like siloxanes and hydrocarbons. Businesses using these solvents must post a sign detailing the dry cleaner's name, the commercial and chemical names of the primary solvent used, and its manufacturer. The sign must also include a statement directing people to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) website and Material Safety Data Sheets for more information on hazardous chemicals. Additionally, the sign will feature color-coded warnings for different solvent categories, with red for "Higher Hazard Substances" like perchloroethylene and n-PB, orange for siloxanes, and yellow for solvents like hydrocarbons, indicating varying levels of health and environmental risks. Businesses using water-based cleaning, known as "professional wet cleaning," are exempt from these requirements. The bill also mandates that the DEP provide a sign template and comprehensive safety information for each solvent category on its website, and it requires the DEP to adopt regulations to implement these provisions within one year of the act's effective date.