BOSTON, MA – State Representative John Keenan (D-Salem) today detailed his legislative priorities for the new session of the Massachusetts legislature.  Rep. Keenan filed sixteen bills and cosponsored several dozen more.  A full listing and description of the legislation will be available at http://www.johnkeenan.org/updates.htm in the next few weeks.

 

The two most prominent bills filed by Representative Keenan this session concern consumer protection.  The first is “An Act to protect children from toxic toys,” which would phase out the use of phthalates and bisphenol-A in childcare products and children’s toys.  Currently, many plastic products intended for babies and young children – including baby bottles and teethers – contain these harmful chemicals. Safer alternatives to these products do exist, so we could feasibly phase out the use of these chemicals and better protect the health and safety of children in the Commonwealth.

 

Specifically, the legislation would prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution of any toy or child care item that is intended for use by a child under 3 years of age if that product contains bisphenol-A, contains DEHP, DBP, or BBP in concentrations exceeding 0.1%, or is intended for use by a child under 3 years of age if that product can be placed in the child’s mouth and contains DINP, DIDP, or DNOP in concentrations exceeding 0.1%.  Further, it would require manufacturers to use the least toxic alternative when replacing bisphenol-A and phthalates in their products and would prohibit manufacturers from replacing bisphenol-A and phthalates with certain carcinogens and reproductive toxicants.

 

“It is distressing to see how prevalent these dangerous chemicals are in the toys and items used by children, who are the most susceptible to any negative effects from these toxic substances,” said Representative Keenan, who is also a cosponsor on the “Safer Alternatives to Toxic Chemicals” bill.  If Massachusetts adopts the legislation, it would become the second state in the nation to do so, after California.

 

The second major bill filed by Representative Keenan for 185^th legislature concerns manufacturer’s rebates and consumer protection.  “An Act relative to rebate reform and consumer protection” would allow consumers who purchase a retail product that has a rebate available to claim, in full, the complete rebate at the point of sale.  Specifically, retailers’ advertising a manufacturer’s rebate on any product must apply the rebate amount at the time of the sale and complete the rebate redemption process themselves, rather than requiring the consumer to do it.  It also prohibits retailers from advertising a “net” or final price for an item that includes a payment from a manufacturer, unless the retailer gives the buyer the manufacturer’s payment at the time of the sale.

 

“The concept of the rebate has been used and abused by manufacturers of consumer electronics, appliances, and other products for quite a while,” pointed out Rep. Keenan.  “This legislation would ensure that retailers can not deceptively advertise a lower price due to a rebate and that such rebates must be made available in full at the point of sale, rather than requiring the consumer to jump through hoops and comply with obscure, small print rules to get their check.”  Connecticut and Rhode Island have already passed legislation similar to this bill.

 

Other legislation filed by Representative Keenan for the session would reform the bail payment system in Massachusetts, protect seniors in nursing homes from sexual offenders, broaden the scope of the Cultural Facilities Fund to include historic municipal buildings, and empower communities to create local tourism trust funds to stimulate local marketing and tourism investments.  He also sponsored bills to expand the lead paint abatement loan program so more homeowners could qualify and access loans to delead their homes, to encourage young teachers by allowing them to count substitute teaching in public schools towards certain state loan obligations, and to call for Massachusetts to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, provided that grid reliability is ensured.

 

“I am very excited about the legislative proposals being brought forth by my colleagues on both sides of the aisle,” said Representative Keenan.  “I expect this session to be very productive and beneficial for the people of Massachusetts.”