Uterine Cancer Study Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4396
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-15: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T06:59:55Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Uterine Cancer Study Act of 2025 aims to investigate the potential link between chemical hair straighteners and uterine cancer, with a special emphasis on higher rates among women of color. It directs federal health agencies to conduct research to better understand this relationship and explore safety measures for these products.
Key Provisions
- Study Mandate: The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), working with the Commissioner of Food and Drugs (FDA) and the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), must conduct a comprehensive study on how chemical hair straighteners may contribute to uterine cancer.
- The study will review findings from prior research on this topic.
- It will examine effects on women and others at risk across all racial and ethnic groups.
- Results will be broken down by product types, such as those containing dyes, coloring, bleach, highlights, or perms.
- It will assess whether the FDA needs to require extra safety testing for hair straightening product manufacturers.
- Timelines:
- Within 45 days of the bill's enactment, HHS must submit a detailed plan (methodology) for the study to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- The study must begin within 180 days of enactment.
- A final report on the study's findings must be submitted to the same congressional committees within 2 years of enactment.
- Definitions:
- "Hair straightener" refers specifically to chemical-based products used to straighten hair.
- "Secretary" means the head of HHS.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new requirements for federal agencies to study and report on the health risks of chemical hair straighteners, which were not previously mandated by law. It does not amend or repeal any existing statutes but adds a targeted research obligation to address potential public health gaps.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: HHS, FDA, and NIH will need to allocate resources for the study, including staff time and funding (though not specified in the bill). This could lead to recommendations for new FDA regulations on product testing, increasing oversight of cosmetics manufacturers.
- Citizens: Women of color, who may use these products more frequently and face higher uterine cancer risks, could benefit from greater awareness and safer products. Broader users of hair straightening chemicals across all backgrounds might see improved product safety if additional testing is recommended.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic health research and regulation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Women of Color and Product Users: Primary focus group, potentially gaining protections against health risks from everyday hair care products.
- Hair Product Manufacturers: Could face new testing requirements, affecting production costs and compliance.
- Health Agencies (HHS, FDA, NIH): Responsible for executing the study and any follow-up actions.
- Congressional Committees: House Energy and Commerce and Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, which oversee the process and receive reports.
- Medical and Research Communities: Involved in reviewing prior studies and may contribute data on cancer disparities.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill empowers the FDA to potentially impose safety standards on cosmetics, which are currently regulated lightly under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (no pre-market approval required for most). This could set a precedent for evidence-based regulation of personal care products.
- Constitutional: No apparent issues; it aligns with Congress's authority to direct executive agencies on public health matters and promote general welfare.
- Political: Highlights health equity concerns, particularly racial disparities in cancer rates, and could influence future legislation on consumer product safety and minority health. It reflects bipartisan support in its sponsorship but may spark debates on industry regulation versus innovation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]
Cosponsors (38)
Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Rivas, Luz M. [D-CA-29], Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22], Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7], Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-15: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-07-15: Introduced in House
- 2025-07-15: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Uterine Cancer Study Act of 2025 — issued 2025-07-15 — PDF (3 pages)