H.R.3749 - Health and Endocrine Research on personal care products for women Act; HER Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3749, also known as the HER Act, directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants for research, investigation, and awareness initiatives concerning the effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in personal care products on the female reproductive system. The bill mandates the Secretary, through the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, to provide research grants and requires regular reports to Congress on the findings. It also authorizes grants to states for investigation and public awareness programs related to alternative, less harmful personal care products.
The Act defines key terms such as 'endocrine-disrupting chemical' and 'personal care product' to ensure clarity in its implementation. The reports will outline research developments, list safe and harmful products, and suggest legislative or administrative strategies for the FDA to regulate endocrine-disrupting chemicals in personal care products.
Ultimately, the goal is to protect women's reproductive health by increasing awareness and regulation of potentially harmful chemicals in everyday products.
Expected Effects
The HER Act, if enacted, would lead to increased research funding and public awareness regarding the impact of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in personal care products on women's reproductive health. This could result in the identification of safer alternatives and potentially stricter regulations on the ingredients used in these products.
Furthermore, the Act could empower consumers to make more informed choices about the personal care products they use. The state grants for investigation and awareness programs will help disseminate information and educate the public about the risks and alternatives.
In the long term, this could lead to improved reproductive health outcomes for women and a reduction in health disparities related to access to safe products.
Potential Benefits
- Increased research funding for understanding the impact of endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
- Enhanced public awareness and education regarding safer personal care product alternatives.
- Potential for stricter regulations on harmful chemicals in personal care products.
- Improved reproductive health outcomes for women.
- Reduction in health disparities related to access to safe products.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased costs to personal care product manufacturers if regulations become stricter.
- Possible delays in the availability of research findings and public awareness campaigns.
- The effectiveness of the Act depends on the quality and impartiality of the research conducted.
- There may be resistance from industry groups to stricter regulations.
- The Act focuses specifically on women's reproductive health, potentially overlooking other health impacts of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on other populations.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The HER Act appears to align with the general welfare clause of the US Constitution, which is found in the preamble: "promote the general Welfare". By aiming to improve women's reproductive health through research and regulation of personal care products, the Act can be argued to promote the overall well-being of a significant portion of the population.
Furthermore, the Act does not appear to infringe upon any specific individual liberties or rights protected by the Constitution. It does not restrict freedom of speech, religion, or assembly, nor does it violate due process or privacy rights.
However, the Act's reliance on federal grants to states could raise questions about the balance of power between the federal government and the states, although such grants are a common practice and generally accepted as constitutional.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).