Healthy Hair Act

Key Points

• The Healthy Hair Act would make it illegal to sell hair straightening or smoothing products that contain formaldehyde or chemicals that release it. This includes popular salon treatments like keratin treatments and chemical relaxers used to change hair texture.
• The ban would take effect 180 days after the bill becomes law. It aims to protect salon workers who breathe in these chemicals daily and consumers, particularly Black women, who are the primary users of chemical hair relaxers.
• Formaldehyde is a known chemical linked to cancer, breathing problems, and hormone disruption. By removing it from these products, the bill seeks to lower the risk of long-term health issues for both stylists and their customers.
• The bill also requires the FDA to work with workplace safety experts to study how these chemicals affect health over time. They must report their findings and recommendations for further safety rules to Congress within about two years.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.