ALBANY, N.Y. — This week New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law legislation co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, D-119.

Together, these bills mark important victories for women and consumers across the state of New York.

“These legislative accomplishments work to ensure that the products sold and marketed to New Yorkers are safe, reliable and that the path towards recourse protects consumers from falling victim to predatory practices” Buttenschon said in a press release.

Buttenschon supported Banning the Inclusion of Harmful Chemicals and Ingredients in All Menstrual Products to protect the health of women throughout New York State. It will officially prohibit the use of harmful PFAS, also known as forever chemicals and other dangerous metals and chemical substances in all menstrual products sold or marketed in New York State.

The new regulatory law, now Chapter 674 of the Laws of 2025, prohibits all menstrual products, including tampons, pads, menstrual cups, period underwear, etc., that are distributed, sold, or marketed for sale in the State of New York from containing PFAS.

PFAs include perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances like lead, mercury, talc, formaldehyde, and other chemicals known to cause adverse health effects. These are within the products themselves or the products fragrance, colorant, dye, preservation, and presentation ingredients.

This consumer protection legislation targets a critical health concern for the millions of women and who will use thousands of these essential products regularly over decades of their lives, and makes New York a leader in protecting women from exposure to harmful chemicals in intimate hygiene products.

“This is a major victory,” Buttenchon said. “The health and safety of women should never be compromised by the essential products they trust and need every day. This bill protects our daughters, our sisters, our mothers, and our neighbors from exposure to toxic substances that can potentially take years of their lives and cause serious long-term health effects.”

Key provisions of the new law include:

• The restriction and prohibition of substances known to the Department of Health to be potentially harmful, including but not limited to PFAS, lead, mercury and related compounds, formaldehyde, triclosan, toluene, talc, certain phthalates, and parabens, from intentional inclusion in menstrual product ingredients.

• Requiring a State Department of Health study to establish the lowest feasible levels for any trace amounts of these substances within one year of signage, with reviews every five years to ensure standards as protective technology improves.

• As of the effective date, a ban of all menstrual products containing a restricted substance present as an intentionally added ingredient at any level.

• No later than Jan. 1, 2029, a ban of all menstrual products containing trace amounts of restricted substances at levels higher than lowest level that can feasibly be achieved as determined by the State Department of Health.

“This bill is about basic health equity and ensuring every woman can manage their periods safely,” Buttenschon said. “This signing holds accountable those who up to now have knowingly been able to use harmful chemicals in menstrual products without disclosure or accountability, and protects our women from avoidable exposure to these toxic substances.”

This act shall take effect Dec. 19, 2026.

The Requiring Social Media Warning Labels to Alert Consumers of Potentially Addictive Features Social bill addresses media platforms which have become a part of daily life for millions of New Yorkers, including minors and adolescents.

These platforms employ sophisticated algorithms and design features specifically engineered to maximize user engagement and time spent on their applications.

These unregulated design practices actively seek to exploit our vulnerabilities, bypassing consumer protection and mental health safeguards that traditional media and entertainment are subject to. Features such as infinite scroll, autoplay videos, and algorithmic content feeds are designed to trigger compulsive usage and engagement patterns.

This legislation requires social media platforms to display clear warning labels alerting consumers to these potentially addictive features, establishes penalties for non-compliance and provides the New York State Attorney General’s Office with enforcement powers.

“This law ensures transparency and accountability while protecting our most vulnerable users, our children and adolescents,” Buttenschon said. “Without clear disclosure of the addictive nature of their platforms, these companies will continue to knowingly exploit and expose their users to online behaviors they know to be harmful in the real world.”

Key provisions of the law include:

• Requiring social media platforms display clear, conspicuous warning labels alerting users to included features designed to promote addictive or compulsive usage patterns.

• Mandating warning labels appear at initial sign-up, during first use of addictive features, and periodically during continued platform use.

• Prohibiting platforms from obscuring, minimizing, or purposefully designing around warning labels.

• Establishing penalties, including fines per individual violation, and providing that all fines collected be deposited by the Attorney General into a digital wellness fund for mental health and technology addiction treatment services.

This act shall take effect June 17, 2026.

Buttenschon co-sponsored the Regulating Predatory Consumer Litigation Practices, now Chapter 645 of the Laws of 2025. It establishes comprehensive consumer protections for consumer litigation funding transactions, ensures contract term transparency, and prohibits the continuation of unfair and predatory practices that have up-to-now allowed these companies to exploit New Yorkers during their most vulnerable moments.

Consumer litigation funding companies have increasingly targeted vulnerable New Yorkers who are awaiting settlement of consumer-related legal claims, offering immediate cash advances in exchange for a portion of their future settlements.

These transactions often come with exorbitant fees, nontransparent terms, and exploitative conditions that prey on individuals in financial distress. Without proper regulation, consumers will continue to be subjected to predatory practices including excessive charges, hidden fees, and penalties for early repayment that can significantly diminish their deserved settlement proceeds.

By requiring clear disclosures, reasonable contract provisions, and a no-penalty prepayment option, this law protects consumers while maintaining their access to necessary financial resources during the legal process.

“This legislation ensures transparency, fairness, and the fundamental right to repay funding without penalty,” Buttenschon said. “No longer will these companies be allowed to impose unconscionable terms on vulnerable individuals who are simply trying to make ends meet while awaiting deserved settlements.”

Key provisions of the law include:

• Establishing clear disclosure requirements for all consumer litigation funding contracts to ensure consumers understand the terms and total costs of their agreements.

• Requiring contracts to contain a no-penalty provision allowing consumers to prepay the funded amount at any time prior to settlement without facing additional charges or fees.

• Limits the maximum recovery of the financing company to 25% of the gross recovery of the claim.

This act shall take effect June 17, 2026.

Buttenschon represents the 119th Assembly District, encompassing the cities of Utica and Rome and surrounding towns and farming communities.