Legislative priorities: 2012
Children’s Product Reporting Bill (SF 1766 / HF 2543) requires children’s product manufacturers to report the presence of a priority chemical in their products. This policy ensures that state agencies have adequate information on chemicals in children’s products in order to protect the public’s health and was recommended by Minnesota state agencies in their December 2010 report to the legislature, Options to Reduce and Phase-out Priority Chemicals in Children’s Products and Promote Green Chemistry. Chief authors are Rep. Kate Knuth and Sen. Chris Eaton. Read our legislative fact sheet.
Bisphenol A in Children’s Products (HF 2137 / SF 1757) prohibits the use of BPA in food or beverage containers intended for children under age 12. This policy will ensure that children are protected from the use of this harmful chemical in these products. BPA is designated as a priority chemical by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) because of its toxicity and potential to expose children. The bill prohibits a manufacturer from replacing BPA with a chemical determined by the EPA to increase the risk of cancer, birth defects or developmental or reproductive harm. The bill builds on the current Minnesota law that bans BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups. Chief authors are Rep. Joe Atkins and Sen. Mary Jo McGuire. Read our legislative fact sheet.
Formaldehyde in Children's Products (HF 2782 / SF 2397) ensure that children are protected from the unnecessary use of this harmful chemical in products designed for children under age 12. Formaldehyde is designated as a Priority Chemical by the Minnesota Department of Health because of its toxicity and potential to expose children. The bill phases out the use of formaldehyde in children’s products and prohibits a manufacturer from replacing formaldehyde in a children’s product with another Priority Chemical. Chief authors are Rep. John Persell and Sen. Ann Rest. Read our legislative fact sheet and scientific references for the fact sheet.
- The Formaldehyde in Children's Products bill was offered as an amendment to the Environment Omnibus bill (HF 2164) in the House of Representatives, and approved by a vote of 74-51, with bipartisan support.
