What's happening
This bill prohibits the sale of over-the-counter drugs or cosmetics with altered, mutilated, or obscured FDA-required labels, including expiration dates.
Why it matters
Expands consumer protections. by ensuring that not just expiration dates but all FDA-required label information (such as usage instructions, warnings, and ingredients) on over-the-counter drugs and cosmetics cannot be altered, obscured, or removed—helping consumers make safer, more informed choices.
Targets deceptive sales practices. by specifically prohibiting the use of price stickers or other means to cover up critical label information, making it harder for retailers or distributors to hide important safety data from buyers.
Aligns state law with federal standards. by directly referencing FDA labeling requirements, which may strengthen enforcement and clarity for both retailers and consumers regarding what constitutes a violation.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Stop Obscuring Drug Labels
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Referred to consumer affairs and protection
- Referred to consumer affairs and 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.
Stop Obscuring Drug Labels
In Senate Committee · Consumer Protection · Sponsor Kenneth P. LaValle
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4922
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 6, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. WEPRIN -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. MOSLEY -- read once and referred to the Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to the sale of over-the-counter drugs
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The article heading of article 38-A of the general business law, as added by chapter 697 of the laws of 1986, is amended to read as follows:
SALE OF OUTDATED
AND LABEL OBSTRUCTED OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS
§ 2. Subdivision 2 of section 820 of the general business law, as added by chapter 697 of the laws of 1986, is amended to read as follows:
2. to knowingly alter, mutilate, destroy, obliterate or remove by means of a price sticker or otherwise the whole or any part of [the expiration date displayed on] the label [or packaging], including where applicable the expiration date displayed thereon, of any over-the-counter drug or cosmetic. For purposes of this subdivision, the term "label" shall mean the label required by the statutes applicable to and regulations issued by the federal food and drug administration.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07833-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.