Liability Shield for Engineered Stone Makers Advances in House

A bill that would block civil action against manufacturers and sellers of engineered stone slabs commonly used for kitchen countertops was approved by a House committee.

The House Judiciary Committee voted along party lines to advance the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Stone Slab Products Act (H.R. 5437) introduced by Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) and co-sponsored by 15 other Republicans.

Manufacturers of engineered stone encouraged lawmakers to back the bill in January. These companies warned a potential wave of thousands of lawsuits from people who developed an incurable lung disease while working in the fabrication shops where ...