[Adopted 6-1-2016 by L.L. No. 15-2016]
A. 
This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk works to protect the health and safety of its residents and the environment. This Legislature also finds and determines that professional dry cleaners provide an important service for residents who own clothing and other items that cannot be cleaned in a conventional washing machine. This Legislature finds that many dry cleaners use the chemical perchloroethylene, commonly known as "perc." This Legislature determines that perc is a hazardous chemical considered to be a probable human carcinogen by the federal government. Perc contaminates drinking water in our aquifer and is responsible for a number of contaminated waste locations on Long Island and throughout the nation. This Legislature also finds that, in response to the problems associated with perc use, the dry-cleaning industry has developed alternative cleaning methods using different types of chemicals. These alternative solvents to perc vary in their environmental impacts, as well as their safety for consumers and dry-cleaning employees. This Legislature also determines that professional dry cleaners should disclose to consumers the type of process and solvents they utilize in a manner that is easily understood.
B. 
Therefore, the purpose of this article is to require all dry cleaners to disclose the primary chemical solvent they use in operating their businesses.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
COMMISSIONER
The Commissioner of the Department of Health Services.
DEPARTMENT
The Department of Health Services.
PROFESSIONAL GARMENT-CLEANING ESTABLISHMENT
Any natural individual or business entity of any kind that uses chemical solvents or wet cleaning process to clean, on- or off-site (e.g., "drop shops"), clothing or other objects made of cloth or other material labeled "dry clean" or "dry clean only" for compensation.
A. 
The Department shall develop a system to categorize chemical solvents and processes used by professional garment-cleaning establishments. The system shall evaluate solvents and processes separately for environmental impacts and human impacts that may result from exposure through dry-cleaning processes. Each solvent or process shall be placed into categories identifying the level of harm from each impact.
B. 
The solvents and processes to be initially categorized are: hydrocarbon, liquid carbon dioxide, perchloroethylene (PERC), siloxane, and wet cleaning systems. Additional solvents or processes will be evaluated as they become available in Suffolk County.
C. 
The Department shall complete the initial categrization of solvents and processes within six months of the effective date of this article and submit the categories to the County Legislature for approval via resolution. Subsequent changes to the categorization of solvents and processes shall be implemented by the Department without legislative approval.
D. 
Following the approval of the initial categorization, the Department is authorized to amend the categories on an annual basis to evaluate and include new solvents and processes. The Department shall provide a written statement to the Environment, Planning and Agriculture Committee and the Health Committee of the County Legislature, or any successor committees thereto, detailing any changes or additions that are made.
E. 
The Department shall develop and distribute signs based on the latest inspection which convey to the reader, via color-coded design, the safety of chemical solvents used by professional garment-cleaning establishments. The sign shall take a form substantially similar to Exhibit A, attached hereto,[1] and shall list chemicals and processes in alphabetical order. The design of the sign by the Department shall be submitted to the County Legislature for approval via resolution.
[1]
Editor's Note: Exhibit A is on file in the County offices.
F. 
The Department shall develop a web page to provide information about each dry-cleaning solvent and process, including any environmental or human safety concerns associated therewith, which are available in Suffolk County. The web page must include links to the OSHA MSDS sheets on each chemical categorized by the County. The web page shall be accessible via a web page address, as well as a QR code located on the sign.
A. 
Every professional garment-cleaning establishment operating in the County of Suffolk shall post two signs provided by the Department. One sign must be located in the window of the establishment, visible to persons outside the establishment, with the other sign located near or behind the counter and clearly visible to anyone entering the establishment. Each professional garment-cleaning establishment must indicate on the signs which chemical solvent or cleaning method is employed at that location. If multiple solvents or methods are used at a location, each system must be indicated on the sign. Professional garment-cleaning establishments shall not tamper with or alter the sign beyond indicating the solvents or methods used.
B. 
Any professional garment-cleaning establishment in the County of Suffolk that cleans garments off-site must maintain records of each facility they use and the chemicals or processes used at same. Records on facilities used must be maintained for at least three years.
C. 
Any professional garment-cleaning establishment operating in the County of Suffolk which delivers dry-cleaned articles directly to customers' homes or offices must print a statement describing the chemicals they use in their facilities on any printed or emailed receipts they provide to delivery customers.
D. 
Verification.
(1) 
During inspections, the Department shall verify that a professional garment-cleaning establishment:
(a) 
Has posted the two signs in a visible manner, or, in the case of delivery services, provided the necessary printed disclosure, as required by this article;
(b) 
Has indicated the chemical solvent or method being used; and
(c) 
Is using the indicated solvent or method at the time of inspection.
(2) 
The Department representative conducting the inspection will sign, date and place an identification number on the chart to indicate it has been verified.
The Commissioner of the Department of Health Services is hereby authorized, empowered and directed to promulgate such rules and regulations as he or she deems necessary to implement this article.
A. 
Any professional garment-cleaning establishment which violates any provision of this article shall be subject to an initial civil penalty of $500 per violation, with all subsequent violations subject to a civil penalty of $1,000 per violation. Each violation shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.
B. 
No penalties shall be imposed by the Department until the alleged violator is given notice and an opportunity to be heard by the Commissioner or his or her designee.
A. 
This article shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this article.
B. 
Professional garment-cleaning establishments shall comply with the posting provisions established pursuant to § 427-24 of this article within 90 days of the categorization system being approved by the County Legislature pursuant to § 427-23 of this article.
C. 
The Department shall distribute the signs and establish the web page required for compliance with this article within 90 days of the categorization system being approved by the County Legislature pursuant to § 427-23 of this article.