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Bill would hold foreign manufacturers liable for product injuries

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Staff Report 11:26 AM Thursday, July 1, 2010

WASHINGTON — A U.S. House subcommittee has approved legislation that would hold foreign manufacturers legally accountable to American consumers injured by dangerous or defective products.

The vote on Wednesday, June 30, by the House subcommittee on commerce, trade and consumer protection sent the legislation to the full committee for consideration, said U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Centerville. Turner and Rep. Betty Sutton, D-Ohio, sponsored the bill.

The Foreign Manufacturers Legal Accountability Act would require manufacturers that import products into the United States to register an agent to accept service of process in behalf of the manufacturer. Registering an agent would constitute acceptance of the legal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts where the agent is located, Turner said.

Importing of consumer products into this country more than doubled between 1998 and 2007, and has been accompanied by an increase in product recalls, Turner said.

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