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History
- Print number 3838a
- Amend and recommit to rules
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Referred to consumer protection
- Referred to consumer protection
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S3838A
Title of bill
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to the regulation of synthetic turf products
Purpose
The bill sets forth safety standards for synthetic turf products installed on public and private premises.
Summary of provisions
A section 390-d is added to the general business law that will contain three subdivisions.
Subdivision one defines synthetic field turf and what constitutes an acceptable verification of compliance with section 390-d.
Subdivision two prohibits the installation of field turf products with a lead concentration of 50 parts or more per million (ppm) by weight.
Subdivision three permits the attorney general to seek injunctive relief to prevent the installation of synthetic turf products that have prohib- ited lead concentration levels. This subdivision provides owners of premises possessing synthetic turf to avoid prosecution by providing the attorney general with a certificate that verifies a synthetic turf product's compliance with the section's lead standards. Subdivision three also establishes the fine levels for violations of the section at $10,000 and $30,000 for those violations that are willful.
Justification
Synthetic turf is used as an alternative to natural turf for recreation- al and landscaping purposes. The advantages of synthetic materials are that they can be engineered to meet tough performance targets, including durability and safety. For instance, the cushioned nature of new gener- ation synthetic turf products have been found to reduce potentially devastating sports injuries such as concussions. Moreover, synthetic turfs do not require mowing, fertilizing, or pest control, significantly reducing the maintenance costs to school districts, localities and others and reducing environmental impact. Additional environmental gains are that over 20,000 recycled tires are used in one sports field alone.
Even in light of the benefits of synthetic turfs, it is important to assure the public of the overall safety of such products. Exposure to high levels of lead in consumer products is a primary public health concern. This bill sets the standard for lead concentration in synthetic turf products at 50 ppm by weight, the maximum level that the Environ- mental Protection Agency has determined is found naturally in uncontam- inated soil. This level is far lower than the EPA's standards for lead concentration in bare soil in play areas and for non-play areas, which are 400 ppm and 1200 ppm respectively. These EPA standards apply to cleanup projects using federal funds.
It is essential to the public safety and health to establish this synthetic turf safety standard and have it enforced by the Attorney General.
Legislative history
New Bill.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.