What's happening
This bill prohibits the sale of children's foam mats containing formamide in New York State, effective December 1, 2019.
Why it matters
Addresses potential health risks to young children. by banning foam mats containing formamide—a chemical linked to toxicity and developmental concerns—in products intended for children three years old and under.
Creates a uniform statewide standard. for regulating formamide in children’s foam products, preempting any conflicting local laws and ensuring all products sold in New York meet the same safety requirements.
Exempts secondhand sales. by allowing individuals to resell or donate used foam mats, focusing the ban on new products in the commercial market rather than penalizing consumers.
Empowers state environmental authorities. to develop and enforce regulations, allowing the law to adapt over time as new information or technologies emerge related to chemical safety.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Toxic Foam Play Mats
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to environmental conservation
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.
Ban Toxic Foam Play Mats
In Senate Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor Brian Kavanagh
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
497
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 4, 2017
Introduced by Sens. SQUADRON, HOYLMAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to prohibiting the manufacture, distribution and sale of children's foam mats containing formamide
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Article 37 of the environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new title 4 to read as follows:
TITLE IV
FORMAMIDE Section 37-0401. Short title.
37-0403. Definitions.
37-0405. Foam mat products.
37-0407. Preemption.
37-0409. Rules and regulations. § 37-0401. Short title.
This title shall be known and may be cited as the "formamide-free children's product act". § 37-0403. Definitions.
As used in this title: (a) "foam mat product" means all mats, pads, mattresses and cushions designed for use by children three years old or younger, including mats, pads, mattresses and cushions used as or in connection with bedding, changing platforms, strollers and carriages, high chairs, car seats, play pens and toys.
(b) "formamide" means the chemical identified by CAS number 75-12-7, including methanamide and carbamaldehyde. § 37-0405. Foam mat products.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01459-01-7
S. 497 2
1. Beginning December first, two thousand nineteen, no person, firm, partnership, association, limited liability company or corporation shall sell or offer for sale in this state any foam mat product containing formamide.
2. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the sale or distribution of foam mat products resold or offered for resale, or distributed by consumers for consumer use. § 37-0407. Preemption.
Jurisdiction in all matters pertaining to formamide which are regulated pursuant to the provisions of this title shall be vested exclusively in the state. § 37-0409. Rules and regulations.
The department is authorized to promulgate such rules and regulations as it shall deem necessary to implement the provisions of this title.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to prohibiting the manufacture, distribution and sale of children's foam mats containing formamide
Purpose
To prohibit children's foam mats and exercise mats from containing the chemical formamide, as formamide has been found to be a health hazard to both children and adults.
Summary of provisions
Section I amends Article 37 of the environmental conservation law by adding Title 4, that would prohibit the manufacture, distribution, and sale of foam mat products containing formamide. The bill would also amend the environmental conservation law to create a penalty for those who violate any of its provisions.
Section II sets forth the effective date.
Justification
The chemical formamide has been found to be harmful to those who come in contact with it, particularly when it exists in high quantifies in foam mats intended for children. Formamide is toxic to the reproductive system and can pose harm to fetuses and infants. Exposure to the chemical can also cause eye, nose, throat and skin irritation. Mats containing formamide have been banned and removed from shelves in Belgium and France because of these safety concerns. Prohibiting the sale of these foam mats would create a safer environment for New York's children and families.
Legislative history
2016: S583A - ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION 2015: S583/A106 -ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION/advanced to third reading 2014: S7806/A5298A - ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION/Third Reading 2013: A5298A (Rozic) - Environmental Conservation 2012: A6070A (Meng) - Codes 2011: A6070A (Meng) - Environmental Conservation
Fiscal impact on the state
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.