HER Act

Bill Number

H.R. 3749

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-06-05: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2025-06-24T12:48:52Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The HER Act (H.R. 3749) aims to address potential health risks from endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)—substances that mimic, block, or interfere with the body's hormones—in personal care products, with a focus on their effects on the female reproductive system. It directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to fund research, investigations, and public awareness to promote safer alternatives and inform future regulations.

Key Provisions

• Research Grants: HHS, through the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), must award grants to study how EDCs in personal care products (defined as cosmetics for hygiene, grooming, or body care) impact women's reproductive health and related toxicity issues.
• Every 5 years, starting 5 years after enactment, HHS must submit reports to Congress and post them online, covering:
• Research findings on disparities in access to safe, non-EDC products.
• Lists of safe and harmful personal care products, as determined by HHS.
• Evidence-based recommendations for expanding the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) authority to regulate EDC ingredients harmful to women's reproductive health.
• State Grants for Investigation and Awareness: HHS must award grants to states (including the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations) to:
• Investigate the effects of EDCs in personal care products on women's reproductive health.
• Develop and run public education campaigns promoting less harmful alternative products.
• Every 5 years, starting 5 years after initial grants, HHS must report to Congress and online on the programs' findings and results.
• Definitions: Clarifies terms like "endocrine-disrupting chemical," "personal care product," "Secretary" (HHS head), and "State" to ensure broad applicability.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill does not directly amend existing statutes but introduces new grant programs under HHS authority, building on the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act's definition of cosmetics. It could indirectly influence FDA oversight by mandating research-driven recommendations to strengthen regulation of cosmetic ingredients, an area where FDA currently has limited pre-market approval powers for non-safety issues.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Increases workload and funding needs for HHS (especially NIEHS) and potentially FDA if recommendations lead to new rules; states and tribes gain resources for local health programs.
• Citizens: Women, particularly those facing reproductive health risks or disparities in product access, may benefit from greater awareness, safer product options, and evidence-based health protections; broader public gains from education on EDC risks.
• International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though research findings could influence global standards for cosmetic safety if shared through international health organizations.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Women and Underserved Communities: Primary beneficiaries, especially those experiencing reproductive health disparities or limited access to safe products.
• Health Agencies: HHS, NIEHS, and FDA, which will conduct or respond to research and reporting.
• States and Tribes: Eligible for grants to run investigations and awareness efforts.
• Researchers and Public Health Advocates: Gain funding opportunities for studies on EDCs and reproductive toxicity.
• Personal Care Industry: Affected by potential product listings (safe/harmful) and future regulatory expansions, possibly requiring reformulation of cosmetics.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens HHS's role in environmental health research without overriding FDA's cosmetic jurisdiction; reports could support future legislation or rulemaking to address regulatory gaps in cosmetics, where EDCs are not routinely tested for hormone disruption.
• Constitutional: Aligns with federal spending power for public health grants; inclusion of tribes respects tribal sovereignty under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.
• Political: Highlights focus on women's health equity and environmental justice, potentially advancing bipartisan support for consumer safety amid growing concerns over chemical exposures in everyday products.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-05: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-06-05: Introduced in House
• 2025-06-05: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Health and Endocrine Research on personal care products for women Act — issued 2025-06-05 — PDF (5 pages)