Brown Signs Bill Granting Businesses Grace Period Under Prop. 65

On Saturday, Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signed a bill (AB 227) giving businesses a 14-day grace period to comply with Proposition 65, a measure that aims to protect residents from harmful chemicals, the Sacramento Business Journal reports.

The law also allows business owners to pay a small fine in order to avoid certain legal actions under Prop. 65 (Arns, Sacramento Business Journal, 10/7).

Details of Prop. 65

Prop. 65 requires manufacturers, retailers and property owners to post warning signs if goods or premises are contaminated with chemicals known to cause birth defects or cancer.

Under Prop. 65, lawyers can bring claims against businesses that knowingly expose residents to toxic chemicals identified by state law.

Since 2008, lawyers have filed more than 2,000 of such claims (California Healthline, 8/1).

Comments From Bill's Sponsor

Assembly member Mike Gatto (D-Burbank) -- the bill's sponsor -- said the law essentially gives businesses a "fix-it ticket" for minor violations of Prop. 65.

He added that the law "strikes a balance by helping businesses avoid senseless litigation while preserving the public's ability to obtain proper warnings about dangerous chemicals" (Sacramento Business Journal, 10/7).