Matthew Hamilton is reporting at Capitol Confidential state lawmakers Wed., Apr. 23, passed a bill that would crack down on certain chemicals in children’s products. The legislation would force children’s product manufacturers to disclose the use of so-called priority chemicals, including benzene, lead, mercury, formaldehyde, and arsenic, to the state. Under the law, sales of children’s products containing priority chemicals would be banned by 2018. A similar measure is now pending in the state Senate. Albany County lawmakers passed a ban on the sale of children’s products containing harmful substances in December. Adopted in January, it would take effect in January 2016. The Safe to Play Coalition, made up of representatives of the toy and children's product industry, filed suit against Albany County last week, claiming the new legislation violates the U.S. Constitution. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.