To ban the sale of products with a high concentration of sodium nitrite to individuals, and for other purposes.

Bill Number: H.R. 1442
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Commerce
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2025-07-16: Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 116.
Last Updated: 2026-07-10T20:39:16Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Youth Poisoning Protection Act aims to protect public health, particularly youth, by prohibiting the sale and distribution of consumer products containing high concentrations of sodium nitrite, a chemical that can be toxic and has been linked to accidental or intentional poisonings.

Key Provisions

Ban on High-Concentration Products: Any consumer product with 10% or more sodium nitrite by weight is classified as a banned hazardous product under the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA), making it illegal to sell or distribute to individuals for personal use.
Exceptions: The ban does not apply to:
Commercial or industrial uses where the product is not intended for consumer sale, use, or enjoyment.
Products classified as drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, or food under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, including meat, poultry, eggs, and related products regulated under federal inspection laws.
Definitions:
"Consumer product" refers to items produced or distributed for sale to or use by individuals for personal, family, or household purposes (as defined in the CPSA).
"High concentration of sodium nitrite" means 10% or more by weight.
Effective Date: The ban takes effect 90 days after the law is enacted.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This legislation amends the CPSA by explicitly designating high-concentration sodium nitrite products as banned hazardous substances, which previously were not automatically prohibited unless deemed unsafe through separate regulatory processes. It introduces a targeted threshold (10% concentration) without requiring additional rulemaking, streamlining enforcement for consumer safety.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) gains authority to enforce the ban, including inspections, recalls, and penalties for violations, potentially increasing its workload in monitoring chemical products.
On Citizens: Reduces access to high-concentration sodium nitrite for non-commercial purposes, aiming to prevent poisonings, suicides, or accidental exposures, especially among youth; however, it may limit availability for legitimate small-scale or hobbyist uses not covered by exceptions.
On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the law focuses on domestic consumer product sales and does not address imports/exports explicitly beyond standard CPSA rules.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Consumers, Especially Youth: Primary beneficiaries through reduced risk of exposure to a toxic substance.
Retailers and Sellers: Must comply by removing banned products from shelves, facing potential fines or recalls for non-compliance.
Commercial and Industrial Users: Largely unaffected if their uses (e.g., in manufacturing or agriculture) are not consumer-oriented.
Food and Pharmaceutical Industries: Protected by exceptions for regulated products like cured meats or medications.
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC): Responsible for implementation and enforcement.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Strengthens consumer protection under the CPSA by preempting state variations in regulation, ensuring uniform national standards; exceptions preserve compliance with food and drug safety laws, avoiding conflicts.
Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce and protect public health (under the Commerce Clause), without infringing on free speech or due process, as it targets product safety rather than individual behavior.
Political: Represents a bipartisan focus on youth mental health and suicide prevention (sodium nitrite has been used in some self-harm cases), but could spark debate over government overreach into chemical access for non-toxic applications.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]

Recent Actions

2025-07-16: Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 116.
2025-04-30: Received in the Senate.
2025-04-29: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
2025-04-29: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2025-04-29: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 378 - 42 (Roll no. 108). (Roll call 108)
2025-04-29: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 378 - 42 (Roll no. 108). (Roll call 108)
2025-04-29: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1709-1710)
2025-04-28: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
2025-04-28: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1442.
2025-04-28: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1642; text: CR H1642-1643)
2025-04-28: Mr. Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
2025-04-24: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 44.
2025-04-24: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-67.
2025-04-24: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-67.
2025-04-08: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 50 - 1.

Bill Versions

An Act To ban the sale of products with a high concentration of sodium nitrite to individuals, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-04-29 — PDF (4 pages)
A bill to ban the sale of products with a high concentration of sodium nitrate to individuals, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-02-18 — PDF (3 pages)
Youth Poisoning Protection Act — issued 2025-07-16 — PDF (4 pages)
Youth Poisoning Protection Act — issued 2025-04-24 — PDF (6 pages)