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HB 873

Regards health and safety requirements for stuffed toys

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Sean Brennan and 2 co-sponsors

HB 873 would require registration, labeling, and sanitation standards for importing, manufacturing, selling, or remaking stuffed toys and bedding in Ohio.

Referred to committee
#commerce #consumerprotection
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Bill Summary · HB 873

HB 873 (Ohio, 136th General Assembly) — Summary

Main purpose

HB 873 proposes comprehensive regulation of stuffed toys and bedding articles in Ohio. The bill would require registration, labeling, sanitation, and other safety-related requirements for manufacturing, importing, selling, or remaking these products. It aims to protect public health and safety by establishing statewide standards and oversight through the superintendent of industrial compliance, replacing the prior framework with updated definitions and procedures.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions (Sec. 3713.01):

    • Establishes precise terms used throughout the chapter, including:
    • “Person,” “Bedding,” “Secondhand,” “Remade/repaired/renovated articles not for sale,” and “Upholstered furniture.”
    • “Stuffed toy,” “Crib bumper pad,” “Tag/label,” “Reclaimed material,” and “Recycled material.”
    • Clarifies that “secondhand” excludes reclaimed or recycled materials.
    • Defines “crib bumper pad” and notes exclusion of mesh liners from federal definitions of crib bumper pads (per reference to federal standards).

  • Registration and applicability (Sec. 3713.02, subsections A–F):

    • Registration requirement: Except as otherwise provided, any person involved in importing, manufacturing, renovating, wholesale, reupholstering stuffed toys or bedding, or selling/offering secondhand stuffed toys or bedding, must register with the superintendent of industrial compliance.
    • Labeling: All articles of bedding and stuffed toys must be labeled in accordance with Sec. 3713.08; highlighting that unlabeled items cannot be manufactured, sold, delivered, or possessed for those purposes. Sanitization of secondhand items: Secondhand bedding or stuffed toys offered for sale must be sanitized per Sec. 3713.08. Intent evidence: Possession of a bedding or stuffed toy in the course of business by a registered person (or their agent/servant) creates a prima facie presumption of intent to sell. Variances: Manufacturers may request variances from the chapter’s requirements via the superintendent of industrial compliance. The superintendent may grant a variance if strict application is unnecessary to protect health and safety.

  • Repeal and administrative updates:

    • Sections 3713.01 and 3713.02 (as introduced) would repeal current provisions and be replaced with the new framework.
    • The Department of Commerce would update Chapter 4101 of the Ohio Administrative Code to align labeling requirements for stuffed toys with this act.

Who/what would be affected

  • Businesses and individuals involved in:
    • Importing, manufacturing, renovating, wholesaling, or reupholstering stuffed toys and bedding.
    • Selling or offering for sale secondhand stuffed toys or secondhand bedding.
    • Reclaiming/recycling materials used in these products (in contexts defined by the new terms).
  • Regulatory bodies:
    • Superintendent of Industrial Compliance (registration, labeling oversight, variance decisions).
    • Ohio Department of Commerce (administrative code updates to labeling requirements).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill establishes a framework that would require immediate registration for applicable activities once enacted, with further requirements (labeling, sanitation, etc.) applying under the new code sections.
  • It authorizes variances upon a formal request by manufacturers and outlines a review process by the superintendent of industrial compliance.
  • It directs the Department of Commerce to update the corresponding administrative code provisions related to labeling (Chapter 4101) to reflect the new standards.

Notes

  • The bill is currently introduced (as of May 12, 2026) and would take effect only after passage and implementation of the new sections, along with any resulting regulatory updates.
  • Specifics on registration timelines, fee structure (if any), and the exact labeling content to be mandated (beyond requiring compliance with Sec. 3713.08) would be detailed in future rulemaking and the revised code.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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