The Safer Alternatives Bill
The Safer Alternatives Bill, An Act for a Competitive Economy Through Safer Alternatives to Toxic Chemicals, is sponsored by Representative Jay Kaufman (D-Lexington) and Senator Steven Tolman (D-Brighton). It will create a pragmatic and flexible program in Massachusetts to replace toxic chemicals with safer alternatives, wherever feasible.
In this economy, the bill is needed more than ever. The Safer Alternatives program will help Massachusetts businesses stay competitive on the global market which is rapidly moving towards a demand for safer products and services. The program will be funded by a fee on toxic chemicals brought into the state primarily by out-of-state firms.
We can act now to begin a positive pragmatic program that will create healthy residents and a healthy economy.
The Safer Alternatives Bill passed the Senate unanimously on January 29th, 2008 but was not brought up for a vote in the House before the 2007-2008 legislative session ended, despite widespread support. Eighty five Representatives signed a letter in spring 2008 requesting that the bill come up for a vote and others showed their support in other ways.
We are now in the 2009-2010 legislative session and the bill must pass both houses this session in order to become law. The session is off to a good start as 99 (out of 160) Representatives and 26 (out of 40) Senators signed on as co-sponsors this year.
Ask your State Representative and Senator to support the Safer Alternatives Bill, or thank them if they have already done so.
More information on the Safer Alternatives Bill
Fact sheet on the Safer Alternatives Bill (pdf).
Safe Products Made Safely: a set of 10 fact sheets covering the scientific, economic and common sense arguments for passing the Safer Alternatives Bill.
