S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
5980--A
2013-2014 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
March 12, 2013
___________
Introduced by M. of A. ENGLEBRIGHT -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection -- committee discharged,
bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said
committee
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to the regulation
of synthetic turf products
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new section
390-d to read as follows:
S 390-D. REGULATION OF SYNTHETIC TURF PRODUCTS. 1. DEFINITIONS. AS
USED IN THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEAN-
INGS:
(A) "SYNTHETIC TURF PRODUCT" SHALL MEAN A SURFACE OF TURF FIBERS
COMPOSED OF SYNTHETIC MATERIALS MADE TO RESEMBLE GRASS OR SOME OTHER
LIVE VEGETATION THAT IS USED IN PLACE OF GRASS TO SURFACE PARKS, OUTDOOR
PLAYING OR ATHLETIC FIELDS, INDOOR ATHLETIC FACILITIES OR OTHER VENUES.
(B) "CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH SYNTHETIC TURF PRODUCT LEAD
STANDARDS" SHALL MEAN A DOCUMENT VERIFIED BY A MANUFACTURER OF A PARTIC-
ULAR SYNTHETIC TURF PRODUCT WHICH SHALL INCLUDE THE LEAD CONTENT LEVEL
IN PARTS PER MILLION WITH REFERENCE TO SUCH SYNTHETIC TURF PRODUCT. A
CERTIFIED COPY OF SUCH DOCUMENT SHALL BE PROVIDED TO THE USER AND THE
INSTALLER OF THE SYNTHETIC TURF PRODUCT, AND A COPY OF SAME RETAINED BY
THE MANUFACTURER. A COPY OF SAID CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE SHALL
CONSTITUTE PROOF THAT THE USER AND THE INSTALLER IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH
THIS SECTION.
2. ENFORCEMENT OF THIS SECTION. (A) WHENEVER THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
SHALL BELIEVE FROM EVIDENCE SATISFACTORY TO HIM OR HER THAT ANY PERSON,
FIRM, CORPORATION OR ASSOCIATION OR AGENT OR EMPLOYEE THEREOF HAS
VIOLATED ANY PROVISION OF THIS SECTION, HE OR SHE MAY BRING AN ACTION IN
THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK FOR A JUDGMENT ENJOINING THE
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06993-03-3
A. 5980--A 2
CONTINUANCE OF SUCH VIOLATION AND REQUIRING ANY NECESSARY REMEDIATION,
AND FOR A CIVIL PENALTY OF NOT MORE THAN TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR EACH
VIOLATION, EXCEPT THAT THE COURT MAY IMPOSE A CIVIL PENALTY OF NOT MORE
THAN THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS IF THE VIOLATION IS KNOWING AND WILLFUL. IF
IT SHALL APPEAR TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE COURT OR JUSTICE THAT THE
DEFENDANT HAS VIOLATED ANY PROVISION OF THIS SECTION, NO PROOF SHALL BE
REQUIRED THAT ANY PERSON HAS BEEN INJURED THEREBY NOR THAT THE DEFENDANT
KNOWINGLY OR INTENTIONALLY VIOLATED SUCH PROVISION. IN SUCH ACTION
PRELIMINARY RELIEF MAY BE GRANTED UNDER ARTICLE SIXTY-THREE OF THE CIVIL
PRACTICE LAW AND RULES. BEFORE ANY VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION IS SOUGHT
TO BE ENJOINED, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL BE REQUIRED TO GIVE THE
PERSON AGAINST WHOM SUCH PROCEEDING IS CONTEMPLATED NOTICE BY CERTIFIED
MAIL AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO PRODUCE A CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH
SYNTHETIC TURF PRODUCT LEAD STANDARDS WITHIN FIVE BUSINESS DAYS AFTER
RECEIPT OF NOTICE THAT WOULD ESTABLISH THAT PROCEEDINGS SHOULD NOT BE
INSTITUTED AGAINST HIM OR HER UNLESS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL FIND, IN
ANY CASE IN WHICH HE OR SHE SEEKS PRELIMINARY RELIEF, THAT TO GIVE SUCH
NOTICE AND OPPORTUNITY IS NOT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
(B) NO MANUFACTURER OR SUPPLIER OF SYNTHETIC TURF PRODUCT SHALL SELL,
CAUSE TO SELL, SUPPLY, INSTALL OR CAUSE TO INSTALL SUCH PRODUCTS WITHIN
THE STATE CONTAINING FIFTY (50) OR MORE PARTS OF LEAD PER EACH ONE
MILLION PARTS OF ANY SYNTHETIC TURF PRODUCT.
(C) THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT APPLY TO SYNTHETIC TURF
PRODUCTS INSTALLED PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION.
S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.