AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCT SAFETY AND TOXIC METAL REMOVAL ACT OF 2026 (Sets a clear and enforceable standard for reducing the presence of harmful metals in personal care products, prioritizing public health through testing, labeling, and the development of safer alternatives.)

S2117

2026 -- S 2117
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LC003909
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCT
SAFETY AND TOXIC METAL REMOVAL ACT OF 2026

Introduced By:
Senators Urso, Lauria, Murray, Mack, Gu, Kallman, E Morgan, Euer,
Quezada, and Acosta

Date Introduced:
January 16, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Health & Human Services
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby
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amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
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CHAPTER 18.20
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THE PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCT SAFETY AND TOXIC METAL REMOVAL ACT
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OF 2026
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23-18.20-1. Short title.

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This chapter shall be known and may be cited as “The Personal Hygiene Product Safety
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and Toxic Metal Removal Act of 2026”.
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23-18.20-2. Legislative purpose.

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It is the purpose of this chapter to protect public health by reducing consumer exposure to
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toxic metals, including lead, cadmium, arsenic, and other harmful substances, through the
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regulation of personal hygiene and care products. This chapter seeks to eliminate detectable
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concentrations of these toxic metals in personal care items, ensuring their safety for public use.
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23-18.20-3. Definitions.

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As used in this chapter, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings
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unless the context shall clearly indicate another or different meaning or intent:
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(1) “Detectable concentration” means any presence of a toxic metal at or above the
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threshold levels set forth in § 23-18.20-4, measured by the standards of the U.S. Food and Drug

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Administration (FDA) or other applicable regulatory bodies.
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(2) “Personal hygiene and care product” means any product intended for personal
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cleansing, and grooming including, but not limited to, cosmetics, tampons and pads.
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(3) “Toxic metal” means any metal identified as hazardous to human health by the
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Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or other recognized health authorities including, but not
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limited to, lead, cadmium, and arsenic.
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23-18.20-4. Prohibition of toxic metal in personal hygiene products.

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No personal hygiene or care product sold in this state shall contain detectable
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concentrations of any toxic metals including, but not limited to, lead, cadmium, or arsenic above
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the following limits:
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(1) Lead: 0.1 parts per million (ppm);
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(2) Cadmium: 0.05 ppm;
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(3) Arsenic: 0.1 ppm; and
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(4) For metals not listed in this chapter but deemed harmful by relevant authorities, the
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United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall determine appropriate
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concentration limits based on scientific studies and public health risks.
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23-18.20-5. Testing and monitoring.

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Manufacturers of personal hygiene and care products sold in this state shall be required to
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regularly test and document the presence of toxic metals in their products. The testing shall be
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conducted by independent laboratories accredited by the FDA or an equivalent authority.
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23-18.20-6. Reporting requirements.

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All manufacturers shall submit reports to the department of business regulation (DBR)
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detailing the results of product testing, including proof that their products meet the limits
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established pursuant to this chapter. Reports shall be made available to the public via the
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department’s website.
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23-18.20-7. Enforcement and penalties.

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(a) The DBR or its designated agents shall have the authority to inspect, seize, and test
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personal hygiene products suspected of containing harmful levels of toxic metals. Products found
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to be in violation of the concentration limits set forth § 23-18.20-4 shall be subject to recall at the
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manufacturer’s expense.
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(b) Manufacturers found in violation of this chapter shall be subject to civil penalties up to
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two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) per violation. Repeat offenders may face increased
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penalties including, but not limited to, possible suspension of their license to conduct business in
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this state.

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(c) The DBR shall have the authority to obtain an injunction or seek other legal relief to
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prohibit the sale of personal care products violating the concentration limits set forth in this chapter.
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23-18.20-8. Public awareness and education.

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(a) Personal hygiene products shall include a label that certifies they have been tested and
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meet all federal safety standards concerning toxic metals.
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(b) The executive office of health and human services shall implement an educational
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campaign to inform consumers about the risks of toxic metals in personal care products, the
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importance of reading product labels, and the steps being taken to protect public health.
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23-18.20-9. Research and development funding.

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The executive office of health and human services shall provide grants to academic
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institutions, nonprofit organizations, and industry stakeholders for the research and development
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of safer alternatives to toxic metals in personal hygiene and care products.
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23-18.20-10. Appropriations.

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The general assembly shall annually appropriate such sums as it may deem necessary for
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the expenses of administering and implementation of this chapter.
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23-18.20-11. Severability.

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If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section, or part of this chapter shall be adjudged by any
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court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, that judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate
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the remainder of the chapter but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph,
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section, or part directly involved in the controversy in which that judgment shall have been
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rendered.
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23-18.20-12. Effective date.

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This chapter shall take effect on January 1, 2030, with manufacturers being required to
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comply with the concentration limits set forth in § 23-18.20-4 within one hundred eighty (180) days
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thereafter.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCT
SAFETY AND TOXIC METAL REMOVAL ACT OF 2026
***
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This act would set a clear and enforceable standard for reducing the presence of harmful
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metals in personal care products, prioritizing public health through testing, labeling, and the
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development of safer alternatives commencing on January 1, 2030, with enforcement one hundred
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eighty (180) days thereafter.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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