Safe Cosmetics Act. Now more than ever. Public hearing on LD 317 Act to Enact the Safe Cosmetics Act

 On 2/22/25 the Maine Legislature's Environment and Natural Resources Committee held a public hearing on  LD317 An Act to Enact the Safe Cosmetics Act (pdf)  See bill summary  and written testimony below the audio links)

The bill passsed in the last legislative session but was not funded, so it is back.

Introduction by Representative Sophie Warren 8min50sec

SUPPORTERS

Sarah Woodbury 3min49sec

Andy Hackman Personal Care Council & QA  7min32sec

OPPOSED

MDEP Commissioner Melanie Loyzim_qa_8min22sec_.mp3

BILL  SUMMARY 

This bill enacts the Safe Cosmetics Act, which prohibits, beginning January 1, 2027,  the distribution, sale or offering for sale in this State of cosmetic products containing certain intentionally added ingredients, including, but not limited to, lead, mercury or  formaldehyde. 

A person distributing, selling or offering for sale a cosmetic product does not violate the Act if the cosmetic product contains only a technically unavoidable trace quantity of a prohibited ingredient due to impurities from a natural or synthetic ingredient  used in the manufacture of the cosmetic product, from the manufacturing process or from storage of the cosmetic product or due to migration of the ingredient from the packaging of the cosmetic product. 

When a retailer purchases cosmetic products from a manufacturer and it is later  determined that those cosmetic products contain ingredients that prohibit the retailer from distributing, selling or offering the product for sale pursuant to the Act, the retailer is entitled to a full refund from the manufacturer with respect to the product, including  shipping and other related costs.

Written testimony on LD 317. Click on their names for their testimony

Vanessa Berry

Natural Resources Council of Maine

2-12-25

Elizabeth Boulos

Cape Elizabeth

2-12-25

Valerie Caruso

Augusta

2-12-25

 Melanie Loyzim

Department of Environmental Protection

2-12-25

Julius Vernesoni

Topsham

2-12-25

Julius Vernesoni

Topsham

2-12-25

 Rep. Sophie Warren

Maine State Legislature

2-12-25

 Sarah Woodbury

Defend Our Health

2-12-25

 Katie Wright

Personal Care Products Council

2-1

Maine Legis' Education Committee 4/2/21 approved resolve to urge minimum 30 minute school lunch periods, Tabled bill to increase local foods for local schools to. Audio.

On April 2, 2021 the Legislature's Education Committee  approved (w/amendment) LD 655 An Act Require at Least a 30-minute Lunch Period for Students, and discussed but. tabled  LD 636 An Act To Encourage the Purchase of Local Foods for Public Schools 

The Bills & Audio of their work sessions.

* LD 655 An Act To Require at Least a 30-minute Lunch Period for Students Approved

* LD 655 Work session Audio 27 minute 

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LD 636 An Act To Encourage the Purchase of Local Foods for Public Schools  Tabled

LD 636  work session Audio excerpt 9min

ZOOMing the Maine legislature in session- HOW TO's

What to expect when joining a virtual Public Hearing held by any of Maine's legislative committees 

1. When you receive an email invitation to a Zoom meeting  of  the Maine Legislature  you will be asked to click a link to register.  Once you have registered, you will receive another link generated by Zoom to join the meeting.  Wait until the day of the meeting to click the link to JOIN.  If you have difficulty finding the invitation on the day of the meeting don’t worry.  A reminder will be sent on the morning of the meeting with the link attached.
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3. When you click the link to join the meeting, you will be in a WAITING ROOM. You will be able to see and hear the committee members who have joined so far, but you will not be seen or heard.  The host will be watching who is in attendance in the waiting room (we will know you are here even though you cannot be seen or heard at this time).
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5. When it is time for your testimony: The Chairs have a list of all who are scheduled to testify.  They will indicate to the clerk to admit the next in line to testify.  (2 or 3 at a time will be brought into the meeting). During the transition from the waiting room to the meeting, you will see a box with a blue spooling circle and a message saying “Joining”.  BE PATIENT!  This may take 5-7 seconds. When you can see the participants again, you will be in the meeting and will be able to see yourself on screen. 
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7. Please remain muted until you are called on to speak.  After you have given your testimony and answered any questions the committee may have, you will be returned to the waiting room.  Expect the same 5-7 second delay on your return.  When you can see the participants again, you are back in the waiting room.  You can remain there for the rest of the hearing or leave by clicking the red END button in the lower right hand corner of the screen. 
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CONGRATULATIONS!! YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY GIVEN YOUR FIRST VIRTUAL TESTIMONY!!

If you have any questions about this process, please contact me at mar@legislature.maine.gov or by calling 207-287-1337.