Provides that sellers of certain products give written notice to consumers of the availability of devices to prevent tipping and injury to young children

1 Co-sponsor

• Andrew J. Lanza

BILL NUMBER:S6421

Title of bill

An act to amend the general business law, in relation to requiring that manufacturers and sellers of certain consumer products place a tipping warning on such products

Purpose

Provides that sellers of certain products give written notice to consumers of the availability of devices to prevent tipping of household products to prevent injury to young children.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the general business law is amended by adding a new Section 399-j which establishes required notice to consumers. Section 2 is the effective date.

Justification

Each year, nationwide, an estimated 3,000 young children ages 5 and under are needlessly injured by Television sets falling or tipping over. In addition, at least 100 people, mostly young children, have been killed since 2000 by falling televisions or other furniture according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Children often climb to reach the controls of a television, or the pull on hanging cords which causes the television to topple off the stand. The same situation can occur with children climbing on bookcases or dressers or anything else holding electronics which are not anchored to the wall. This legislation would require any person in the business of selling or renting products to provide written notice to a consumer that the product should be stabilized or anchored to reduce and prevent that product from tipping and causing injury, disability or death to a young child.

Legislative history

2010: A.3631 - 3rd Reading Calendar 652; S.732 - Consumer Protection 2009: A.3631 - 3rd Reading Calendar 190; S.732 - Consumer Protection 2008: A.9900 - 3rd Reading Calendar; S.7118 - Consumer Protection

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become law, provided that the executive director of that state consumer protection board is immediately authorized and directed to promulgate, amend and/or repeal any rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effective date.