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AB-1744 • 2026

Environmental advertising: sunscreen.

Environmental advertising: sunscreen.

Crime
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Addis
Last action
Official status
Senate - Appropriations
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary states no reimbursement will be given for enforcement costs but does not explain the specific reason why, only that it is provided in the act.

Rules for Sunscreen Labels About Ocean Safety

This law makes it illegal to call sunscreen 'reef safe' or similar terms in California unless the product contains no chemical ultraviolet filters.

What This Bill Does

  • Makes it unlawful to use words like 'reef safe,' 'ocean friendly,' or 'marine conscious' on sunscreen labels, containers, or advertising sold in the state.
  • Allows these ocean-safety claims only if the product is free of chemical ultraviolet filters as specified by law.
  • Classifies a violation of this rule as a misdemeanor crime.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Any person who sells sunscreen products in California
  • Anyone creating advertising, labels, or containers for those sunscreens

Terms To Know

Misdemeanor
A type of crime that is less serious than a felony.
Chemical ultraviolet filters
Specific ingredients in sunscreen, as defined by the law, used to block UV rays.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The official text does not list which specific chemical filters are banned, only that they must be absent.
  • It is unclear exactly how 'chemical ultraviolet filters' will be defined in practice since the bill refers to them as specified elsewhere.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Senate - Appropriations

Official Summary Text

Environmental advertising: sunscreen.