SB 419: Medical Sharps Disposal (2011)

Summary

Senate Bill 419 addresses implementation challenges learned after the submission of the first round of reports required pursuant to Senate Bill 486 (Simitian, Chapter 591, Statutes of 2009). Ensuring that these reports are readily available to sharps users was a key goal of the initial legislation. Patients who self-inject can use the information to identify and evaluate what pharmaceutical companies are doing to assist them in managing their sharps waste. 

Although it is illegal to throw sharps into the trash, many people are unaware and continue to illegally dispose of their sharps.  In California, approximately 1 in 12 households have someone who must self-inject to treat diabetes, cancer, hepatitis B & C, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, hemophilia, infertility, serious allergies or other medical conditions generating approximately 389 million sharps annually. Improper disposal poses a significant risk of injury and/or infection to children, hotel workers, janitors and solid waste employees as well as making almost one million Californians in violation of current law.

After the bill passed the Legislature, Senator Simitian sent a letter to the Governor urging his signature. 

For more information, you can read the SB 419 "Fact Sheet" prepared by a member of Senator Simitian's staff.

Final Status and Text

SB 419 is no longer active. Its final status was:
Vetoed by the Governor

You can read its final text on the Legislature's Bill Information site.

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