Signed by Governor Chris Sununu

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass with amendment a bill that prohibits the sale of certain furniture and carpeting with flame retardant chemicals.

Highlights:

• Defines “Flame-retardant chemical” as a chemical or chemical compound which has the functional use of resisting or inhibiting the spread of fire, including halogenated, phosphorus-based, nitrogen-based, and nanoscale flame retardants (Sec. 1).

• Defines “Upholstered furniture” as residential furniture intended for indoor use in a home or other dwelling intended for residential occupancy (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits any individual or business sell, offer, import, or ship to a customer in this state any upholstered furniture containing in its fabric covering, or any other cushioning material any material that is more than 0.1 percent of a flame-retardant chemical or mixture of a flame-retardant chemical (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the prohibition of upholstered furniture shall not apply to any of the following, including, but not limited to (Sec. 1):

• Used and antique upholstered furniture;

• Upholstered furniture purchased for use in public facilities such as schools, jails, and hospitals;

• New upholstered furniture sold, offered, or distributed for promotional purposes by a retailer in the state prior to January 1, 2021;

• New upholstered furniture manufactured before January 1, 2020;

• Upholstered furniture that includes electronic components; and

• Mattresses.

• Establishes that this act shall go into effect immediately upon passage (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text