Texas 2023 88th Regular

Texas House Bill HB242 Introduced / Bill

Filed 11/14/2022

                    88R711 JES-D
 By: Howard H.B. No. 242


 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 AN ACT
 relating to liability for the donation and distribution of feminine
 hygiene products.
 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 SECTION 1.  Title 4, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is
 amended by adding Chapter 89A to read as follows:
 CHAPTER 89A.  DONATION OF FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS
 Sec. 89A.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
 (1)  "Feminine hygiene product" means a tampon, a panty
 liner, a menstrual cup, a sanitary napkin, or other similar item
 used in connection with the menstrual cycle.
 (2)  "Nonprofit organization" means an organization
 exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(a), Internal
 Revenue Code of 1986, as an organization described by Section
 501(c)(3) of that code.
 Sec. 89A.002.  LIABILITY FROM DONATION OF FEMININE HYGIENE
 PRODUCT. A person, including a manufacturer or distributor, is not
 subject to civil or criminal liability arising from the nature,
 age, packaging, or condition of a feminine hygiene product that the
 person donates in good faith to a nonprofit organization for
 distribution to individuals in need of the products if the donated
 product meets all quality and labeling standards imposed by law at
 the time the product is donated, even if the product is not readily
 marketable.
 Sec. 89A.003.  NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION LIABILITY FROM
 DISTRIBUTED FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCT. A nonprofit organization is
 not subject to civil or criminal liability arising from the nature,
 age, packaging, or condition of a feminine hygiene product donated
 to the organization that the organization distributes to
 individuals in need of the products if the donated product meets all
 quality and labeling standards imposed by law at the time the
 product is distributed, even if the product is not readily
 marketable.
 Sec. 89A.004.  EXCEPTIONS. This chapter does not apply to a
 person who donates a feminine hygiene product or a nonprofit
 organization that distributes a donated feminine hygiene product if
 the person or organization, as applicable, intentionally or with
 gross negligence donates or distributes a product that results in
 injury to or death of an individual who uses or receives the
 product.
 SECTION 2.  Chapter 89A, Civil Practice and Remedies Code,
 as added by this Act, applies only to a cause of action that accrues
 on or after the effective date of this Act.
 SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.