SB-39
Health & Public Health

Cosmetic safety: Vaginal or vulvar products.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Exempts certain vaginal and vulvar products from state cosmetic ingredient restrictions.
  • Requires products to pass rigorous third-party safety trials to qualify for exemption.
  • Takes effect immediately to ensure continued access to women's health products.
  • Aligns with medical recommendations from leading healthcare organizations.
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (3/28/2025)
Probability of Passing
We're working on it! Check back later.

Summary

Senator Weber Pierson's legislation creates targeted exemptions from California's cosmetic ingredient restrictions for vaginal and vulvar products that meet specific safety requirements. The bill modifies Section 108980 of the Health and Safety Code, which currently prohibits the manufacture and sale of cosmetics containing certain chemical compounds.

Under the proposed changes, vaginal and vulvar products containing otherwise restricted ingredients would be permitted if they meet any of four conditions: undergoing FDA clinical trials, having a pending new drug application, becoming FDA-regulated as a drug, or passing definitive third-party placebo-controlled double-blind safety trials. The exemption would not apply if safety trials demonstrate the product is unsafe.

The bill's findings note that boric acid, one of the currently restricted substances, has an established history of use in addressing vaginal health concerns. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention include boric acid suppositories in their treatment guidelines. Prior to 2014, these products were primarily available through compounding pharmacies at higher costs before becoming more widely accessible through retail outlets.

The legislation includes an urgency clause for immediate implementation upon passage, citing the need to ensure timely access to necessary medical and hygiene products. This requires a two-thirds vote for approval rather than the simple majority needed for standard bills.

Get Involved

Act Now!

This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.

Introduced By

Akilah Weber Pierson
Akilah Weber PiersonD
California State Senator

Community Outlook

No votes yet
Positive
0%
Negative
0%

Latest Voting History

March 28, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
340640PASS

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Quality
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Quality
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Senate Floor
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Relevant Contacts

Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Akilah Weber PiersonD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 8 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Akilah Weber PiersonD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Catherine BlakespearD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Caroline MenjivarD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Sasha Renee PerezD
Senator
Committee Member

Key Takeaways

  • Exempts certain vaginal and vulvar products from state cosmetic ingredient restrictions.
  • Requires products to pass rigorous third-party safety trials to qualify for exemption.
  • Takes effect immediately to ensure continued access to women's health products.
  • Aligns with medical recommendations from leading healthcare organizations.

Get Involved

Act Now!

This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.

Introduced By

Akilah Weber Pierson
Akilah Weber PiersonD
California State Senator

Summary

Senator Weber Pierson's legislation creates targeted exemptions from California's cosmetic ingredient restrictions for vaginal and vulvar products that meet specific safety requirements. The bill modifies Section 108980 of the Health and Safety Code, which currently prohibits the manufacture and sale of cosmetics containing certain chemical compounds.

Under the proposed changes, vaginal and vulvar products containing otherwise restricted ingredients would be permitted if they meet any of four conditions: undergoing FDA clinical trials, having a pending new drug application, becoming FDA-regulated as a drug, or passing definitive third-party placebo-controlled double-blind safety trials. The exemption would not apply if safety trials demonstrate the product is unsafe.

The bill's findings note that boric acid, one of the currently restricted substances, has an established history of use in addressing vaginal health concerns. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention include boric acid suppositories in their treatment guidelines. Prior to 2014, these products were primarily available through compounding pharmacies at higher costs before becoming more widely accessible through retail outlets.

The legislation includes an urgency clause for immediate implementation upon passage, citing the need to ensure timely access to necessary medical and hygiene products. This requires a two-thirds vote for approval rather than the simple majority needed for standard bills.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (3/28/2025)
Probability of Passing
We're working on it! Check back later.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Quality
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Quality
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Senate Floor
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Community Outlook

No votes yet
Positive
0%
Negative
0%

Latest Voting History

March 28, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
340640PASS

Relevant Contacts

Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Akilah Weber PiersonD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 8 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Akilah Weber PiersonD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Catherine BlakespearD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Caroline MenjivarD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Sasha Renee PerezD
Senator
Committee Member