Environmental health: product safety: perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Existing law, commencing January 1, 2025, prohibits the manufacture, distribution, sale, or offering for sale in the state of any new, not previously used, textile articles that contain regulated perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) . Existing law, commencing January 1, 2025, prohibits the manufacture, sale, delivery, holding, or offering for sale in commerce of any cosmetic product that contains intentionally added PFAS. Existing law prohibits the distribution, sale, or offering for sale in the state of certain food packaging that contains regulated PFAS. Existing law prohibits the sale or distribution in commerce in the state of any new, not previously owned, juvenile product, as defined, that contains regulated perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals. This bill would, beginning January 1, 2032, prohibit a person from distributing, selling, or offering for sale a product that contains intentionally added PFAS, as defined, unless the Department of Toxic Substances Control has made a determination that the use of PFAS in the product is a currently unavoidable use, the prohibition is preempted by federal law, or the product is previously used. The bill would specify the criteria and procedures for determining whether the use of PFAS in a product is a currently unavoidable use, for renewing that determination, and for revoking that determination. The bill would require the department to maintain on its internet website a list of each determination of currently unavoidable use, when each determination expires, and the products and uses that are exempt from the prohibition. The bill would impose an administrative penalty for a violation of the prohibition, as specified. The bill would establish the PFAS Penalty Account and require all administrative penalties received to be deposited into that account and, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to be used for the administration and enforcement of these provisions, as specified. This bill would require the department, on or before January 1, 2027, to adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this bill. The bill would require the regulations to establish and provide for the assessment of an application fee and to establish an administrative appeal process to review penalties assessed and certain actions and determinations of the department under the bill. The bill would create the PFAS Oversight Fund and require all application fees to be deposited into the fund. The bill would require moneys in the account, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to be used to cover the department's reasonable costs of administering this act.