BILL NUMBER: AB 2318	CHAPTERED  09/07/00

	CHAPTER   326
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   SEPTEMBER 7, 2000
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR   SEPTEMBER 5, 2000
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY   AUGUST 21, 2000
	PASSED THE SENATE   AUGUST 18, 2000
	AMENDED IN SENATE   JUNE 20, 2000
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   APRIL 10, 2000

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Lowenthal

                        FEBRUARY 24, 2000

   An act to add Section 111246 to the Health and Safety Code,
relating to environmental health.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2318, Lowenthal.  Lindane:  prohibition.
   Existing law, the Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Law, contains
various provisions regarding the packaging, labeling, and advertising
of food, drugs, and cosmetics.  Violation of any of these provisions
is a crime.
   This bill, commencing January 1, 2002, would prohibit any product
used for the treatment of lice or scabies in human beings that
contains the pesticide Lindane from being used or sold in the state.
By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated
local program.
  The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state.  Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this
act for a specified reason.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) Lindane is the working ingredient in over 2 million
prescriptions issued each year for biocidal shampoos and creams meant
to control head lice and scabies.
   (b) The prescriptions containing Lindane are prescribed to young
children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers.
   (c) The main source of Lindane in sewers is from the treatment of
head lice and the treatment of scabies, which is a mite that can
live in human skin.
   (d) A single treatment of Lindane to kill head lice or scabies
pollutes 6 million gallons of water.
   (e) According to the State Department of Health Services, Lindane
has been shown to damage the liver, kidney, nervous systems, and
immune systems of laboratory animals such as rats, mice, and dogs
when exposed to high levels during their lifetime.
   (f) The State Department of Health Services stated that Lindane is
less effective and has more potential toxicity than the easily
available alternatives; therefore, there is no reason to continue
prescribing Lindane for the control of head lice in California.
  SEC. 2.  Section 111246 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to
read:
   111246.  Commencing January 1, 2002, any product used for the
treatment of lice or scabies in human beings that contains the
pesticide Lindane shall not be used or sold in the state.
  SEC. 3.  No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the
only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district
will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction,
eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime
or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government
Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of
Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.