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Senate committee hears SB 236 to ban hair relaxers with endocrine-disrupting chemicals
Summary
Authors and public health groups urged the Senate Environmental Quality Committee to approve SB 236, which would prohibit manufacture, distribution or sale of hair relaxers containing specified endocrine-disrupting chemicals; bill was held open for a vote when a quorum is present and later clearedd by the committee.
Sen. Weber Pierson, the bill’s author, introduced SB 236 to the Senate Committee on Environmental Quality as a ban on manufacturing, distributing or selling hair relaxers containing certain endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Pierson said the products are commonly marketed to women and adolescent girls, “predominantly of color,” and that research links some ingredients to hormone-related illnesses and cancers. “Too many women through decades of using these products … have now paid the cost with their health,” Pierson said.
The bill names the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) as the primary enforcement agency and would bar hair relaxers containing substances described in the bill. Witnesses supporting SB 236 included Ryan Spencer of the Environmental Working Group, who told the committee that “over 25% of hair relaxer products contain at least one formaldehyde-releasing preservative.” Euniquema Ferguson read testimony for the California Black Health Network, noting studies that associate long‑term relaxer use with higher risks for uterine cancer and other health issues and calling the bill an equity measure.
No opposition witnesses appeared in the hearing. Pierson closed by framing the bill as both a public health and equity issue and asked for an “aye” vote; the committee later moved the bill out of committee on a unanimous recorded vote.
SB 236 will remain pending final action in the legislative process; committee staff said the measure will be scheduled for a formal vote when a quorum is present.
