Healthy Hair Act

House Bill

H.R. 7685

119th Congress

Healthy Hair Act

In Committee

Introduced:Feb 25, 2026

Primary Sponsor

Shontel Brown

D - OH

Cosponsors

0

Quick Stats

Summary

This bill would ban hair straightening and smoothing products that contain formaldehyde or related chemicals by classifying them as adulterated (unsafe) under federal law. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen that has been linked to serious health risks including cancer, respiratory problems, and other medical conditions, yet it remains present in some hair treatments marketed primarily to Black women and professional salon workers.

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Introduced2/25/2026

StatusReferred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

ChamberHouse

Data from Congress.gov

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Vote Prediction

Healthy Hair Act

This bill would ban hair straightening and smoothing products that contain formaldehyde or related chemicals by classifying them as adulterated (unsafe) under federal law. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen that has been linked to serious health risks includin

Community Breakdown

Pass

0%

Fail

0%

0 predictions

This bill would ban hair straightening and smoothing products that contain formaldehyde or related chemicals by classifying them as adulterated (unsafe) under federal law. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen that has been linked to serious health risks including cancer, respiratory problems, and other medical conditions, yet it remains present in some hair treatments marketed primarily to Black women and professional salon workers.

Bill Number: 7685
Introduced: 2/25/2026
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Healthy Hair Act
Bill Number: 7685
Sponsor: No sponsor
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Introduced: 2/25/2026
Summary: This bill would ban hair straightening and smoothing products that contain formaldehyde or related chemicals by classifying them as adulterated (unsafe) under federal law. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen that has been linked to serious health risks including cancer, respiratory problems, and othe

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill would ban hair straightening and smoothing products that contain formaldehyde or related chemicals by classifying them as adulterated (unsafe) under federal law. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen that has been linked to serious health risks including cancer, respiratory problems, and other medical conditions, yet it remains present in some hair treatments marketed primarily to Black women and professional salon workers.

Last updated: 2/26/2026

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Would prohibit the sale of hair straightening products containing formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing chemicals, which are linked to cancer and respiratory issues
Addresses a significant health equity concern, as these products are disproportionately marketed to and used by Black women and women of color
Protects salon workers and hairstylists who face repeated occupational exposure to these harmful chemicals
Classifies these products as 'adulterated' under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, giving the FDA enforcement authority to remove them from the market
Comes amid growing research showing links between chemical hair straighteners and increased risks of uterine cancer, endometriosis, and other health conditions

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This bill would directly protect millions of consumers, particularly Black women and women of color who frequently use chemical hair straightening treatments, from exposure to cancer-causing chemicals. Salon professionals and hairstylists would also benefit from safer working conditions by eliminating routine exposure to formaldehyde fumes. If passed, manufacturers would need to reformulate products or remove them from shelves, while consumers would gain access to safer alternatives for hair care.

Policy Areas

No policy areas assigned yet.

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

7685, 119th Congress (2026). "Healthy Hair Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/119-hr-7685

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