Purpose

This bill creates a new requirement to help protect public health by warning consumers about the risks of mercury-containing skinlightening products. It aims to reduce the sale and use of these products by informing customers that selling them is illegal and that using them can cause health problems.

Main Provisions

• Adds a new requirement to Minnesota law (Minnesota Statutes chapter 325F) establishing a mandatory signage rule for skinlightening products.
• After August 1, 2026, every retail location that sells skinlightening products must display a sign in plain view. The sign must inform shoppers that selling skinlightening products that contain mercury is illegal and subject to penalties, and that using such products may cause adverse health consequences.
• The notice must be placed in a conspicuous location and be readily visible to anyone purchasing or attempting to purchase skinlightening products.
• The signage must be developed jointly by the Commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency and the Commissioner of Health, in consultation with community-based organizations experienced with mercury in skinlightening products.
• The signage must be available in at least English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali, French, Ethiopian, and Oromo.

Signage Development and Language Requirements

• Signage content and format are to be developed in collaboration with community-based organizations that have worked to raise awareness about mercury in skinlightening products.
• The required languages reflect a broad, multilingual approach to ensure accessibility for diverse shoppers.

Implementation Timeline and Responsible Agencies

• Effective date: after August 1, 2026.
• Responsible agencies: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Minnesota Department of Health (in collaboration with community groups).

Enforcement and Penalties

• States that selling skinlightening products containing mercury is illegal and subject to penalties.
• The bill does not specify penalties in this summary, but indicates that penalties apply for violations related to the sale of mercury-containing products.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a new statutory requirement (325F.998) within Minnesota Statutes to mandate signage at retail locations selling skinlightening products that contain mercury.
• Establishes a formal process for developing approved signage and ensures multilingual accessibility.

Relevant Terms - mercury - mercury-containing - skinlightening products - signage - signage required - retail location / retail establishment - penalties - illegal to sell - public health - adverse health consequences - Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Department of Health - English - Spanish - Hmong - Somali - French - Ethiopian - Oromo - community-based organizations - Minnesota Statutes chapter 325F - 325F.998 - signage development - conspicuous location - readily visible