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HR 968 111th Congress House Commerce Administrative law and regulatory procedures Administrative remedies Child health Child safety and welfare Consumer Product Safety Commission Consumer affairs Department of Justice Government information and archives Hazardous wastes and toxic substances Product safety and quality Retail and wholesale trades Small business

To amend the Consumer Product Safety Act to provide regulatory relief to small and family-owned businesses.

Introduced: February 10, 2009 See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 11, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.
Feb 10, 2009
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Feb 10, 2009
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Declares that this Act is enacted pursuant to the constitutional power granted to Congress to regulate commerce.

Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to allow a secondhand seller to sell, offer for sale, or distribute a product or substance that is not in conformity with a consumer product safety rule relating to lead in children's products or to currently-required labeling for children's products. Defines "secondhand seller" to include: (1) a consignment or thrift shop; (2) an individual who uses the Internet, a yard sale, or other casual means; or (3) a person who sells such a product at an auction to benefit a nonprofit organization.

Delays by six months each required step down in the allowed lead level in children's products. Applies this change as though it had taken effect on August 15, 2008.

Prevents a specified requirement for third-party children's product safety testing from going into effect before August 9, 2009. Applies this change as though it had taken effect on August 15, 2008.

Relieves a manufacturer from the requirement to test or certify a product regarding lead content if the manufacturer has tested and certifies each component of the product.

Prohibits either the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or any state attorney general from initiating an enforcement proceeding under the Consumer Product Safety Act or the Federal Hazardous Substances Act regarding product certification and labeling and children's products containing lead until 30 days after the issuance of final rules, regulations, or guidance.

Requires the CPSC to waive any civil penalty for a good faith first violation of a prohibition under the Act.

Requires the CPSC to develop, publish, and distribute a guide to assist small enterprises in complying with the requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Act and other Acts enforced by the CPSC.

What's happening now February 11, 2009

Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2