§ 2980. Department of Health rulemaking; TCPP
(a) The Commissioner may adopt by rule a prohibition on the manufacture, offer for sale, distribution for sale, or knowing sale at retail in or into the State of the flame retardant TCPP in children's products and residential upholstered furniture if the Commissioner determines, based on the weight of available, scientific studies, that the toxicity of TCPP and its potential exposure pathways in those products pose a significant public health risk as that term is defined in 18 V.S.A. § 2(12).
(b) The rule shall not regulate TCPP in a manner that is materially different from the requirements of sections 2972 (definitions), 2974 (chlorinated flame retardants), 2975 (notice to retailers; disclosure of product content; consultation), 2976 (replacement of regulated flame retardants), 2977 (exemptions), 2978 (violations; enforcement), and 2979 (production of information) of this title regarding the regulation of TCEP and TDCPP. The Commissioner shall adopt reasonable time frames for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to comply with such provisions that are comparable to the time frames for the regulation of TCEP and TDCPP.
(c) A violation of a prohibition or requirement adopted by rule under this section shall be enforceable by the Attorney General under section 2978 of this title as a violation of this chapter.
(d) In addition to the public participation requirements of 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 and prior to submitting a rule authorized under this section to the Secretary of State under 3 V.S.A. § 838, the Commissioner shall make reasonable efforts to consult with interested parties within the State regarding a proposed prohibition on the manufacture, offer for sale, distribution for sale, or knowing sale at retail in the State of the flame retardant TCPP. The Commissioner may satisfy the consultation requirement of this section through the use of one or more workshops, focused work groups, dockets, meetings, or other forms of communication.
(e) A rule adopted by the Commissioner under this section shall become effective according to the following:
(1) A proposed rule filed with the Secretary of State under 3 V.S.A. § 838 on or before July 1, 2014 shall not go into effect earlier than one calendar year after the Commissioner files the adopted rule under 3 V.S.A. chapter 25.
(2) A proposed rule filed with the Secretary of State under 3 V.S.A. § 838 after July 1, 2014 shall not go into effect earlier than one calendar year after the Commissioner files the adopted rule under 3 V.S.A. chapter 25, unless the Commissioner determines that an earlier effective date is required to protect human health, the Commissioner notifies interested parties of the determination, and the new effective date is established by rule. (Added 2013, No. 85, § 1.)