HR 952: House Study Committee on Risks Associated with Hair Straightening Products; create

This resolution creates the House Study Committee on Risks Associated with Hair Straightening Products. The preamble cites studies, including one from the University of Texas' MD Anderson Cancer Center and one from the International Journal of Cancer, that found links between chemicals in hair straightening or relaxing products and increased breast cancer risk in women who use them regularly. The committee would have five members appointed by the Speaker of the House, with one designated as chairperson. Its job is to study the health risks and whether consumer warnings or other state action are needed, and to recommend legislation if it finds any is warranted. Members can be reimbursed for expenses under existing rules (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8) for up to five days unless more are approved, paid from House funds. The committee must file any report before it is abolished on December 1, 2026.

• Creates a five member House Study Committee on Risks Associated with Hair Straightening Products, with members appointed by the Speaker of the House.
• Directs the committee to study health risks tied to hair straightening product chemicals and whether consumer warnings or new laws are needed.
• Allows the chairperson to call and schedule meetings needed to carry out the study.
• Sets reimbursement for legislative members under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, capped at five days unless more are authorized, funded through House appropriations.
• Requires any approved findings or recommendations to be filed as a report with the Clerk of the House before the committee is abolished.
• Abolishes the committee automatically on December 1, 2026.

The five House members appointed to serve on the committee, Georgia women who use hair straightening or relaxing products, manufacturers and sellers of those products, and the Clerk of the House, who would receive any final report.

If created, the committee could gather evidence on whether hair straightening products pose a cancer risk to Georgia women and recommend consumer warnings or new laws. The resolution itself makes no binding rules; it only sets up a study process that could lead to future legislation.

• Paragraph (1) creates the House Study Committee on Risks Associated with Hair Straightening Products.
• Paragraph (2) sets membership at five House members appointed by the Speaker, who also names the chairperson.
• Paragraph (3) charges the committee with studying the issue and recommending action or legislation it finds necessary.
• Paragraph (5) sets member allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, limited to five days of reimbursement unless more days are authorized, funded through House appropriations.
• Paragraph (6) requires any adopted findings or recommendations to be filed as a signed report with the Clerk of the House before abolishment.
• Paragraph (7) abolishes the committee on December 1, 2026.

1. 2026-02-24House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
2. 2026-01-12House Second Readers (House)
3. 2025-04-04House First Readers (House)
4. 2025-04-04House Hopper (House)

• Inga Willis (D, HD-055)Primary sponsor
• Omari Crawford (D, HD-089)

• hair straightening products
• breast cancer risk
• consumer safety
• study committee
• women's health