Signed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires warning labels for hair relaxers that contain certain chemicals in Arkansas.

Highlights:

• Requires warning labels for hair relaxers that contain certain chemicals linked to harmful impacts on health, such as cancer, birth defects, damage to the reproductive system, organ system toxicity, and endocrine disruption in Arkansas (Sec. ).

• Defines “Hair relaxer” as any product topically applied to hair to weaken the structure and curliness of the hair fiber and allowing for a straightening of the hair (Sec. ).

• Requires the warning label to state (Sec. ):

• If a product contains a carcinogen: "This product contains a chemical known to cause cancer.";

• If a product contains a reproductive toxicant: "This product contains a chemical known to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm"; or

• If a product contains both a carcinogen and a reproductive toxicant: "This product contains chemicals known to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm".

• Defines “Carcinogen” means any chemical identified as:

• A "Group 1 carcinogen" or "Group 2A carcinogen" by the World Health Organization or the International Agency for Research on Cancer;

• A "known to be a human carcinogen" and "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen" by the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services under the Public Health Service Act, existing on January 1, 2025; and

• "Group A carcinogens" or "Group B carcinogens" by the United States Environmental Protection Agency;

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 1). 

Full Bill Text