Committee advances bill to ban PFAS in cosmetics, dental floss and some juvenile products

House Bill 2145, which would prohibit the use of PFAS chemicals in cosmetics, dental floss, juvenile products and menstrual products sold in the state, was approved by the House Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities Committee by voice vote.

Representative Majelik, who addressed the committee in support of the bill, said the substances commonly called PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances) are “man-made substances [that] accumulate in our bodies” and described studies linking PFAS exposure to cancers, birth defects, liver and kidney disease, and lowered immunity. “While the list is small, the health impacts could be huge,” she said, urging members to vote yes on House Bill 2145.

Committee staff summarized the bill for members, saying it would add statutory prohibitions on PFAS in a defined list of products, including cosmetic items, dental floss and products designed for infants, and would apply to products sold in the state. The committee considered the measure, and Chairman Metzgar asked whether there were any negative votes; hearing none, the chair declared the bill passed.

The committee record does not show a roll-call tally; passage was announced after a voice vote in which no negative votes were raised. The transcript includes two different spellings of the sponsor’s name (Majelik and Michalik); the speaker introducing and addressing the bill identified themselves as the member recognized to speak on it in the committee.

Next steps for House Bill 2145 were not specified on the committee floor in the transcript; the bill was recorded as passed out of committee for further consideration by the full House.