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Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 43
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to consumer protection
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Prohibits the retail sale, distribution or offer to sell at retail to any person in the state, novelty lighters
In Senate Committee · Rules · Sponsor Jeffrey Dinowitz
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S7411
Title of bill
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to prohibiting the retail sale and distribution of novelty lighters
Purpose or general idea of bill
To prohibit the retail sale and distribution of novelty lighters.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1: Prohibits the sale of novelty lighters and defines what classifies as a novelty lighter.
Section 2: Transportation and distribution of novelty lighters.
Section 3: Sets up a toll free telephone hotline number for receiving information about possible violations.
Section 4: Gives officers authorization to seize novelty lighters.
Section 5: Details civil penalties which violators will be subject to.
Section 6: States that this will not apply to manufacturers, imports, distributors, or wholesale seller who can demonstrate that the novelty lighters are not intended for sale within the state.
Section 7: Gives authority to state fire administrator in order to promulgate these regulations.
Section 8: Pertains to the attorney general and the courts of New York.
Justification
The Federal Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled thousands of novelty lighters since 1996 due to their danger to public safety. Some of these novelty lighters have features that are attractive to children including musical sounds, toy-like designs and flashing lights. Fires set by juveniles are the fastest-growing fire threat in the United States. Annually more than 300 people are killed, 30% of whom are children. These fires cause almost $1 billion in property damage.
According to the publication Fire Chief, "Fatal fires caused by novelty lighters have been documented in several states, including September 2007 when two young boys in Arkansas died in a fire they accidentally set to their apartment with a motorcycle-shaped lighter.
The European Union and at least fourteen states, including Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Illinois, have banned the sale of
novelty lighters, It is important that New York State do the same to protect our families from such preventable fires.
Prior legislative history
2009-2010 - A.6875-B (Fields) - Reported, Referred to Ways & Means.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately. Notwithstanding the effective date, no person shall be subject to a civil penalty for any violation that occurs before the ninetieth day after enactment.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.