Bill Text: CT HB05305 | 2014 | General Assembly | Chaptered
Bill Title: An Act Concerning Cadmium Levels In Children's Jewelry.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 17-8-1)
Status: (Passed) 2014-06-06 - Signed by the Governor [HB05305 Detail]
Download: Connecticut-2014-HB05305-Chaptered.html
AN ACT CONCERNING CADMIUM LEVELS IN CHILDREN'S JEWELRY.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Section 21a-12d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) As used in this section:
(1) "Cadmium" means elemental cadmium and any compounds or alloys which contain cadmium; and
(2) "Children's jewelry" means any jewelry, including charms, bracelets, pendants, necklaces, earrings or rings, and any component thereof, that is designed or intended to be worn or used by children twelve years of age or younger.
(b) [Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, on] On and after July 1, [2014] 2016, no person shall manufacture, sell, offer for sale or distribute in this state any children's jewelry that contains cadmium at more than . 0075 per cent by weight.
(c) The provisions of this section may be enforced, within available appropriations, by the Commissioner of Consumer Protection.
Sec. 2. (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a task force to study the threshold at which cadmium is safe in children's jewelry. The task force shall consist of the following members:
(1) One appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall represent the jewelry manufacturing industry;
(2) One appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, who shall represent a not-for-profit organization promoting children's health and safety;
(3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall be a chemist with expertise in the bioavailability of heavy metals and shall serve as an ex-officio member of the task force;
(4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, who shall be a member of a child advocacy group;
(5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall be a municipal public health director and shall serve as an ex-officio member of the task force;
(6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, who shall represent a jewelry retail business or association in the state;
(7) The House chairpersons of the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children and general law, or the chairpersons' designees;
(8) The Senate chairpersons of the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children and general law, or the chairpersons' designees;
(9) The House ranking members of the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children and general law, or the ranking members' designees;
(10) The Senate ranking members of the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children and general law, or the ranking members' designees;
(11) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection, or the commissioner's designee; and
(12) The Commissioner of Public Health, or the commissioner's designee.
(b) Any member of the task force appointed under subdivisions (1) to (10), inclusive, of subsection (a) of this section may be a member of the General Assembly.
(c) All appointments to the task force shall be made not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.
(d) The House chairpersons of the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children and general law shall serve as the chairpersons of the task force. Such chairpersons shall schedule the first meeting of the task force, which shall be held not later than sixty days after the effective date of this section.
(e) The administrative staff of the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children and general law shall serve as administrative staff of the task force.
(f) Not later than January 15, 2015, the task force shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children, general law and public health. The task force shall terminate on the date that it submits such report or January 15, 2015, whichever is later.