A new bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives aims to protect manufacturers and sellers of stone slab products from civil lawsuits related to worker injuries allegedly caused during fabrication processes carried out by third parties.
The legislation, titled the “Protection of Lawful Commerce in Stone Slab Products Act,” was introduced by Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) and Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) and has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.
What the Bill Proposes
Bill H.R. 5437 would prohibit civil actions against companies that produce or sell stone slab materials—such as kitchen countertops or similar surfaces—for injuries or health conditions that occur after the products have been altered by independent fabricators.
According to the text, manufacturers have no control over how their products are cut, polished, or shaped once they reach the fabrication stage, during which silica dust can be released — a substance linked to serious respiratory illnesses like silicosis.
These fabrication processes are already regulated under federal and state workplace safety laws, including 29 CFR 1910.1053 and California Labor Code Section 5204, which require strict dust control measures. However, the bill’s sponsors argue that some fabricators fail to comply, and that manufacturers should not be held liable for those violations.
Lawmakers’ Rationale
Supporters of the bill argue that holding manufacturers responsible for injuries caused by third-party misconduct is an “abuse of the legal system” that threatens to destabilize legitimate industries and place unreasonable burdens on interstate commerce.
They also emphasize the need to protect consumer access to affordable stone slab products and to preserve tens of thousands of American jobs in the stone fabrication and supply industry.
Key Provisions
Under the bill:
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No civil action (“qualified civil action”) could be brought in federal or state court against a manufacturer or seller for injuries caused during third-party fabrication.
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Pending lawsuits of this type would be dismissed once the law takes effect.
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The bill provides precise definitions of terms like “fabrication,” “qualified product,” and “seller” to prevent legal ambiguity.
The bill currently awaits review by the House Judiciary Committee before potentially advancing to a full vote in the House.
