(a) The General Assembly finds that:
(1) exposure to asbestos, a known carcinogenic agent, creates a significant hazard to the health of the people of the State;
(2) asbestos protective clothing that is used improperly or that is not maintained properly exposes a worker to this hazard;
(3) protective materials have been developed as substitutes for asbestos; and
(4) it is in the public interest to protect workers from this hazard by eliminating the use of asbestos protective clothing.
(b) (1) A person may not sell in the State any item of new or used asbestos protective clothing.
(2) An employer may not:
(i) buy, for use by an employee, any item of new or used asbestos protective clothing;
(ii) ask or require an employee to use any item of new or used asbestos protective clothing; or
(iii) keep or otherwise possess any item of new or used asbestos protective clothing at a place of employment.