PRINTER'S NO. 3070
No. 2373 Session of 1996
INTRODUCED BY B. SMITH, J. TAYLOR, BELARDI, E. Z. TAYLOR,
LEDERER, COLAIZZO, LAUGHLIN, DeLUCA, CURRY, MICOZZIE,
YOUNGBLOOD, CARONE, STEELMAN AND PLATTS, FEBRUARY 2, 1996
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LABOR RELATIONS, FEBRUARY 2, 1996
AN ACT
1 Requiring the disclosure of certain information relating to
2 potential exposure to electromagnetic energy; imposing powers
3 and duties on the Department of Labor and Industry; and
4 providing a penalty.
5 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
6 hereby enacts as follows:
7 Section 1. Short title.
8 This act shall be known and may be cited as the Household
9 Appliance Electromagnetic Field Disclosure Act.
10 Section 2. Definitions.
11 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
12 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
13 context clearly indicates otherwise:
14 "Department." The Department of Labor and Industry of the
15 Commonwealth.
16 "Electromagnetic field." The energy occurring when an
17 electric current is passed through a wire.
18 "Household appliance." Any electrically powered device used
1 in a residential setting, including, but not limited to, kitchen
2 appliances, power tools, televisions, radios, video devices,
3 computers, electric blankets, hair dryers, razors and any other
4 electrically powered device.
5 "Product line." The aggregation of all types of similar
6 appliances without regard to the manufacturer.
7 Section 3. Disclosure of electromagnetic field.
8 Every person who sells or offers for sale household
9 appliances covered under the provisions of this act and who
10 collects or is required to collect the sales and use tax imposed
11 under Article II of the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2),
12 known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, shall disclose to all
13 prospective purchasers the average amount of electromagnetic
14 energy emitted by each household appliance product line in a
15 notice which complies with all of the requirements of section 4.
16 Section 4. Disclosure notice.
17 (a) Content.--Every notice required under this act shall
18 contain at least all of the following information:
19 (1) The generic name of the household appliance product
20 line.
21 (2) The average amount of electromagnetic energy,
22 expressed in milligauss units, emitted from that household
23 appliance product line within a one-foot radius.
24 (3) The average amount of electromagnetic energy,
25 expressed in milligauss units, emitted from that household
26 appliance product line within a three-foot radius.
27 (4) A warning that exposure to levels of electromagnetic
28 energy may increase the risk of serious illness.
29 (b) Design.--The disclosure notice shall be printed on white
30 or cream-colored paper stock and have a red border and red
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1 lettering.
2 (c) Location.--The disclosure notice shall be posted in a
3 conspicuous location selected to draw attention to the household
4 appliance product line covered by that disclosure notice.
5 Section 5. Administration.
6 (a) General rule.--The department shall administer,
7 implement and enforce the provisions of this act.
8 (b) Regulations.--The department shall promulgate
9 regulations relating to the following:
10 (1) Additional information in the disclosure notice.
11 (2) The size and style of print used in the disclosure
12 notice.
13 (3) Locations for disclosure notices.
14 (4) Appropriate measuring devices to determine the
15 milligauss exposure level.
16 (5) Any other regulations necessary to implement,
17 administer and enforce the provisions of this act.
18 Section 6. Penalty.
19 (a) General rule.--Any person who fails to post the required
20 disclosure notice under this act commits a summary offense and
21 shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less
22 than $500.
23 (b) Separate violation.--The failure of any person to post
24 the required disclosure notice for each household appliance
25 product line shall constitute a separate violation.
26 Section 7. Effective date.
27 This act shall take effect January 1, 1997.
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