AK HB238

Creates a regulatory framework requiring the Department of Environmental Conservation to identify and publish a list of chemicals of high concern in children's products, including carcinogens, reproductive toxicants, endocrine disruptors, and persistent bioaccumulative toxic chemicals.

Establishes a process for designating priority chemicals from the high concern list and requires manufacturers and distributors of children's products containing priority chemicals to notify the department within 180 days, providing product identification, quantities, chemical amounts, and intended purposes.

Authorizes the department to prohibit manufacture, sale, or distribution of children's products containing priority chemicals if safer alternatives are available at comparable cost, with a minimum 12-month notice period before the prohibition becomes effective.

Requires manufacturers and distributors to file compliance plans 180 days before a prohibition takes effect, either discontinuing the product in Alaska or substituting safer alternatives, with options to apply for time-limited waivers (up to 5 years, renewable) if no technically or economically feasible alternatives exist.

Adds violations of retailer prohibitions and manufacturer/distributor prohibitions regarding priority chemicals to the Alaska Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act, with deadlines of January 1, 2013 for the initial chemical list and January 1, 2014 for designating at least two priority chemicals.