Assembly Bill A4421

Signed By Governor
2019-2020 Legislative Session

Enacts "Harper's Law" requiring tip restraint devices on certain furniture

download bill text pdf

Sponsored By

Archive: Last Bill Status - Signed by Governor


  • Introduced
    • In Committee Assembly
    • In Committee Senate
    • On Floor Calendar Assembly
    • On Floor Calendar Senate
    • Passed Assembly
    • Passed Senate
  • Delivered to Governor
  • Signed By Governor

Do you support this bill?

Please enter your contact information

Home address is used to determine the senate district in which you reside. Your support or opposition to this bill is then shared immediately with the senator who represents you.

Optional services from the NY State Senate:

Create an account. An account allows you to officially support or oppose key legislation, sign petitions with a single click, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.

Include a custom message for your Senator? (Optional)

Enter a message to your senator. Many New Yorkers use this to share the reasoning behind their support or opposition to the bill. Others might share a personal anecdote about how the bill would affect them or people they care about.
Actions

Bill Amendments

co-Sponsors

multi-Sponsors

2019-A4421 - Details

See Senate Version of this Bill:
S1627
Law Section:
General Business Law
Laws Affected:
Add §399-ii, Gen Bus L
Versions Introduced in 2017-2018 Legislative Session:
A7516, S8766

2019-A4421 - Summary

Enacts "Harper's Law" which will require that retailers who sell certain new furniture offer for sale compatible tip restraint devices and post a notice informing consumers of the risk of furniture tipping.

2019-A4421 - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   4421
 
                        2019-2020 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                             February 4, 2019
                                ___________
 
 Introduced   by   M.  of  A.  ZEBROWSKI,  ENGLEBRIGHT,  SIMON,  DICKENS,
   DE LA ROSA, JAFFEE, CRESPO, GUNTHER, McDONOUGH --  Multi-Sponsored  by
   -- M. of A. BUCHWALD, GALEF -- read once and referred to the Committee
   on Consumer Affairs and Protection
 
 AN  ACT  to  amend  the  general  business  law, in relation to enacting
   "Harper's Law" requiring tip restraint devices on certain furniture
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as "Harper's Law".
   §  2. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 399-
 ii to read as follows:
   § 399-II. FURNITURE TIP RESTRAINT DEVICE. 1. AS USED IN THIS SECTION:
   (A) "FURNITURE" SHALL MEAN A CLOTHING STORAGE UNIT THAT IS  FREESTAND-
 ING  AND  OVER TWENTY-FIVE INCHES IN HEIGHT INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
 CHESTS, DRESSERS, ARMOIRES, AND BUREAUS; AND
   (B) "TIP RESTRAINT DEVICE" SHALL MEAN A MECHANISM THAT IS DESIGNED  TO
 REDUCE  THE  RISK  OF FURNITURE TIPPING OVER. SUCH MECHANISM MAY INCLUDE
 STRAPS, WALL BRACKETS, STEEL CABLES, OR PLUG AND SCREW SETS.
   2. NO PERSON, FIRM, PARTNERSHIP, ASSOCIATION, LIMITED LIABILITY COMPA-
 NY, CORPORATION, OR OTHER ENTITY SHALL SELL OR OFFER TO SELL NEW  FURNI-
 TURE  TO A CONSUMER AT RETAIL UNLESS THE RETAILER (A) MAINTAINS IN STOCK
 AND PROMINENTLY DISPLAYS WITHIN THE STORE TIP RESTRAINT  DEVICES  AVAIL-
 ABLE  FOR  SALE THAT ARE COMPATIBLE WITH SUCH FURNITURE; AND (B) POSTS A
 NOTICE, IN A CONSPICUOUS LOCATION WHICH MAY BE EASILY SEEN OR REACHED BY
 CUSTOMERS, THAT, IN  LEGIBLE  FORMAT,  STATES:  "CERTAIN  FURNITURE  MAY
 BECOME  UNSTABLE  AND TIP OVER, LEADING TO POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH. TIP
 RESTRAINT  DEVICES  MAY  PREVENT  TIPPING  OF  FURNITURE  WHEN  PROPERLY
 INSTALLED."    A RETAILER SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN IN STOCK AND
 PROMINENTLY DISPLAY TIP RESTRAINT DEVICES PURSUANT TO THIS  SECTION  FOR
 FURNITURE  THAT  IS  OFFERED  FOR  SALE  WITH A COMPATIBLE TIP RESTRAINT
 DEVICE AS PART OF THE PURCHASE.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
              

co-Sponsors

multi-Sponsors

2019-A4421A - Details

See Senate Version of this Bill:
S1627
Law Section:
General Business Law
Laws Affected:
Add §399-ii, Gen Bus L
Versions Introduced in 2017-2018 Legislative Session:
A7516, S8766

2019-A4421A - Summary

Enacts "Harper's Law" which will require that retailers who sell certain new furniture offer for sale compatible tip restraint devices and post a notice informing consumers of the risk of furniture tipping.

2019-A4421A - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  4421--A
                                                         Cal. No. 139
 
                        2019-2020 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                             February 4, 2019
                                ___________
 
 Introduced   by   M.  of  A.  ZEBROWSKI,  ENGLEBRIGHT,  SIMON,  DICKENS,
   DE LA ROSA, JAFFEE, CRESPO, GUNTHER, McDONOUGH --  Multi-Sponsored  by
   -- M. of A. BUCHWALD, GALEF -- read once and referred to the Committee
   on  Consumer  Affairs  and  Protection -- reported and referred to the
   Committee on Codes -- reported from committee,  advanced  to  a  third
   reading,  amended  and  ordered  reprinted, retaining its place on the
   order of third reading
 
 AN ACT to amend the  general  business  law,  in  relation  to  enacting
   "Harper's Law" requiring tip restraint devices on certain furniture
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as "Harper's Law".
   § 2. The general business law is amended by adding a new section  399-
 ii to read as follows:
   § 399-II. FURNITURE TIP RESTRAINT DEVICE. 1. AS USED IN THIS SECTION:
   (A)  "FURNITURE" SHALL MEAN A CLOTHING STORAGE UNIT THAT IS FREESTAND-
 ING AND OVER THIRTY INCHES  IN  HEIGHT  INCLUDING  BUT  NOT  LIMITED  TO
 CHESTS, DRESSERS, ARMOIRES, AND BUREAUS; AND
   (B)  "TIP RESTRAINT DEVICE" SHALL MEAN A MECHANISM THAT IS DESIGNED TO
 REDUCE THE RISK OF FURNITURE TIPPING OVER. SUCH  MECHANISM  MAY  INCLUDE
 STRAPS, WALL BRACKETS, STEEL CABLES, OR PLUG AND SCREW SETS.
   2. NO PERSON, FIRM, PARTNERSHIP, ASSOCIATION, LIMITED LIABILITY COMPA-
 NY,  CORPORATION, OR OTHER ENTITY SHALL SELL OR OFFER TO SELL NEW FURNI-
 TURE TO A CONSUMER AT RETAIL UNLESS THE FURNITURE CONFORMS TO  STANDARDS
 ENDORSED  OR  ESTABLISHED BY THE FEDERAL CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMIS-
 SION OR A STANDARD ESTABLISHED  BY  ASTM  INTERNATIONAL  WHICH  REQUIRES
 FURNITURE  TO CONTAIN A TIP RESTRAINT DEVICE AND CARRY A PERMANENT WARN-
 ING LABEL, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ASTM F2057.
   3. A PERSON, FIRM, PARTNERSHIP, ASSOCIATION, LIMITED LIABILITY  COMPA-
 NY, CORPORATION, OR OTHER ENTITY MAY SELL OR OFFER TO SELL NEW FURNITURE
 THAT  DOES  NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS IN SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
              

co-Sponsors

multi-Sponsors

2019-A4421B (ACTIVE) - Details

See Senate Version of this Bill:
S1627
Law Section:
General Business Law
Laws Affected:
Add §399-ii, Gen Bus L
Versions Introduced in 2017-2018 Legislative Session:
A7516, S8766

2019-A4421B (ACTIVE) - Summary

Enacts "Harper's Law" which will require that retailers who sell certain new furniture offer for sale compatible tip restraint devices and post a notice informing consumers of the risk of furniture tipping.

2019-A4421B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  4421--B
                                                         Cal. No. 139
 
                        2019-2020 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                             February 4, 2019
                                ___________
 
 Introduced   by   M.  of  A.  ZEBROWSKI,  ENGLEBRIGHT,  SIMON,  DICKENS,
   DE LA ROSA, JAFFEE, CRESPO, GUNTHER, McDONOUGH, ORTIZ  --  Multi-Spon-
   sored by -- M. of A.  BUCHWALD, GALEF -- read once and referred to the
   Committee  on Consumer Affairs and Protection -- reported and referred
   to the Committee on Codes -- reported from committee,  advanced  to  a
   third  reading,  amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place on
   the order of third reading -- again amended on third reading,  ordered
   reprinted, retaining its place on the order of third reading
 
 AN  ACT  to  amend  the  general  business  law, in relation to enacting
   "Harper's Law" requiring tip restraint devices on certain furniture
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as "Harper's Law".
   §  2. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 399-
 ii to read as follows:
   § 399-II. FURNITURE TIP RESTRAINT DEVICE. 1. AS USED IN THIS SECTION:
   (A) "FURNITURE" SHALL MEAN A CLOTHING STORAGE UNIT THAT IS  FREESTAND-
 ING AND AT LEAST TWENTY-SEVEN INCHES IN HEIGHT INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
 TO CHESTS, DRESSERS, ARMOIRES, AND BUREAUS; AND
   (B)  "TIP RESTRAINT DEVICE" SHALL MEAN A MECHANISM THAT IS DESIGNED TO
 REDUCE THE RISK OF FURNITURE TIPPING OVER. SUCH  MECHANISM  MAY  INCLUDE
 STRAPS, WALL BRACKETS, STEEL CABLES, OR PLUG AND SCREW SETS.
   2. NO PERSON, FIRM, PARTNERSHIP, ASSOCIATION, LIMITED LIABILITY COMPA-
 NY,  CORPORATION, OR OTHER ENTITY SHALL SELL OR OFFER TO SELL NEW FURNI-
 TURE TO A CONSUMER AT RETAIL UNLESS THE FURNITURE CONFORMS TO  STANDARDS
 ENDORSED  OR  ESTABLISHED BY THE FEDERAL CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMIS-
 SION OR, IF NO SUCH STANDARD EXISTS,  A  STANDARD  ESTABLISHED  BY  ASTM
 INTERNATIONAL WHICH REQUIRES FURNITURE TO CONTAIN A TIP RESTRAINT DEVICE
 AND  CARRY A PERMANENT WARNING LABEL, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ASTM
 F2057.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
              

Comments

Open Legislation is a forum for New York State legislation. All comments are subject to review and community moderation is encouraged.

Comments deemed off-topic, commercial, campaign-related, self-promotional; or that contain profanity, hate or toxic speech; or that link to sites outside of the nysenate.gov domain are not permitted, and will not be published. Attempts to intimidate and silence contributors or deliberately deceive the public, including excessive or extraneous posting/posts, or coordinated activity, are prohibited and may result in the temporary or permanent banning of the user. Comment moderation is generally performed Monday through Friday. By contributing or voting you agree to the Terms of Participation and verify you are over 13.

Create an account. An account allows you to sign petitions with a single click, officially support or oppose key legislation, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.