To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report on the relationship between hair straighteners and uterine cancer, particularly among women of color.
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
IntroducedMs. Clarke of New York (for herself, Ms. Brown, Mrs. …
Summary
What This Bill Does
The Uterine Cancer Study Act of 2025 requires the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a comprehensive two-year study investigating whether chemical hair straighteners cause uterine cancer, with particular attention to women of color who experience higher rates of this cancer. The study must review existing research, analyze different product types (including those with dyes, bleach, highlights, or perms), and determine if the FDA should require manufacturers to test their products for safety.
Who Benefits and How
Women of color and all consumers of hair straightening products stand to benefit most directly from this bill. The study aims to clarify health risks and could lead to safer products if the FDA imposes new testing requirements on manufacturers. Public health researchers and medical professionals treating uterine cancer will gain valuable data about potential environmental causes of cancer disparities. Communities that have long suspected these products contribute to health problems will finally have federal research addressing their concerns.
Who Bears the Burden and How
Chemical hair straightener manufacturers face potential new regulatory burdens. If the study recommends additional FDA testing requirements, these companies will need to conduct safety tests on their products before selling them, increasing their costs and compliance obligations. The Department of Health and Human Services, FDA, and National Institutes of Health must allocate staff and resources to conduct this research, submit methodology reports to Congress within 45 days, begin the study within 180 days, and complete it within 2 years.
Key Provisions
- Mandates a federal study on the link between chemical hair straighteners and uterine cancer, focusing on increased incidence among women of color
- Requires the study to disaggregate results by product type (dyes, bleach, highlights, perms) to identify which formulations may be most harmful
- Directs HHS to determine whether the FDA should impose new testing requirements on hair straightener manufacturers to ensure product safety
- Establishes a strict timeline: methodology description to Congress in 45 days, study commencement in 180 days, final report in 2 years
- Study must review existing research and consider impacts across all racial and ethnic backgrounds, not just women of color
Evidence Chain:
This summary is derived from the structured analysis below. See "Detailed Analysis" for per-title beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
Primary Purpose
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study on the relationship between hair straighteners and uterine cancer, with a focus on women of color.
Policy Domains
Legislative Strategy
"Commission federal research to evaluate health risks of hair straightening products, particularly for women of color, potentially leading to new FDA regulations"
Likely Beneficiaries
- Women of color at higher risk of uterine cancer
- Consumers of hair straightening products seeking safer products
- Public health researchers studying cancer disparities
- Medical professionals treating uterine cancer
Likely Burden Bearers
- Hair straightener manufacturers who may face new testing requirements
- Cosmetics industry facing potential new regulations
- FDA required to conduct additional oversight if study recommends testing
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "the_director"
- → Director of the National Institutes of Health
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of Health and Human Services
- "the_commissioner"
- → Commissioner of Food and Drugs
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology