Submitted Photo Rep. Melissa Shusterman speaks at a news conference.

Rep. Melissa Shusterman is taking on the “fast fashion” industry by trying to encourage people to shop at second-hand stores.

Shusterman, D-Chester/Montgomery, recently introduced House Bill 2103, with support from several Democrat co-sponsors, exempting clothing bought from second-hand stores from state sales taxes. The legislation has been referred to the House Finance Committee.

“Shopping at secondhand retail stores like Goodwill or Plato’s Closet is a way for many people to save money on clothing or household items,” Shusterman wrote in her legislative memorandum. “It also reduces the unsustainable shopping practice of buying from ‘fast fashion’ industries … These industries are often criticized for their use of outsourcing production to developing countries where workers are placed in unsafe work environments, paid low wages, and are victim to abusive and exploitative practices. ‘Fast fashion’ industries are also major contributors to pollution since many of their products cannot be recycled.

There are no federal or Pennsylvania tax incentives on second-hand clothing sales, though Pennsylvania does exempt state sales and use taxes from some clothing purchases.

“To support more sustainable fashion practices and help Pennsylvanians in need, I am introducing legislation that would extend the sales tax exemption to accessories, ornamental wear, formal day or evening apparel, sporting goods and sporting clothing when bought at secondhand retail businesses,” she wrote in her legislative memorandum. “This would incentivize more consumers to shop at secondhand stores with the assurance that they are still benefitting from state tax laws.”