Provides for the sanitization of every used mattress or bedding material transported, stored or sold in the state

Title of bill

An act to amend the general business law, in relation to articles of bedding

Purpose or general idea of the bill

This bill addresses the growing concerns regarding infestations of bedbugs.

Summary of provisions

This bill amends Article 25 (Articles of Bedding) of the general business law.

Section 383 eliminates the exception for "new" that permitted bedding that was brought back to the sales location within thirty-days to still be classified as "new." The definition of "used" is amended and clarified.

Section 385 requires the additional disclosure on the mandated label requirement for information regarding the manner of sanitization and chemicals used for such cleansing.

Section 385-b details how used bedding is transported, stored or sold.

Section 387 will require bi-annual inspections of bedding manufacturers.

Section 389-a amends the labeling requirement to require notice that the bedding is used and that such material has been sanitized.

Section 389-c institutes penalties including the cost of the mattress, costs for sanitizing said mattress and medical expenses.

Justification

Bedbugs have become more prevalent. News releases have indicated that bedbugs have appeared in the county's finest hotels like the Ramada Plaza in San Francisco, the five-star Westin resort in Hollywood, Florida, and the Regency Inn and Suites in New York City. According to the the National Pest Management Association, bed bug complaints have increased 50-fold over the last five years, appearing in apartments, mansions and dormitories in nearly every comer of the country. At one point this pest was virtually eliminated, however, it has made a comeback. The problem has even seen legislation proposed at the federal level. In 2008, Rep. G. K. Butterfield sponsored the "Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite Act of 2008."

Cross contamination between contaminated used and new furniture has contributed to the spread of this pest. This legislation address the need for sanitizing second-hand bedding, and preventing used bedding that has not been sanitized from being transported, stored or sold with new bedding.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.