SF796 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Off-highway vehicles made for children and related items exemption from the definition of a juvenile product under Amara's Law
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
- Exempt off-highway vehicles made for children and related items from the definition of a juvenile product under Amara’s Law, effectively removing them from the scope of that specific regulatory definition.
Main Provisions
- Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 116.943, subdivision 1 (definitions) to include a carve-out:
- Off-highway vehicle made for children is not considered a juvenile product.
- Replacement parts for such vehicles are also not considered juvenile products.
- Protective clothing and equipment designed to be worn when operating such vehicles are not considered juvenile products.
- The carve-out explicitly states that these items are excluded from the list of juvenile products that would otherwise fall under Amara’s Law.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Changes the scope of what is treated as a juvenile product by removing off-highway vehicles made for children from that definition.
- Also removes from juvenile-product coverage the replacement parts for those vehicles and the protective gear used with them.
- The bill maintains existing definitions for many consumer product categories (e.g., PFAS-related terms, textiles, product components) but reclassifies the OHV-for-children category away from juvenile-product status.
Potential Effects and Implications
- Regulatory: Off-highway vehicles for children and their related parts and protective gear will not be regulated as juvenile products under the Amara’s Law framework.
- Practical: Manufacturers, sellers, and consumers of children’s OHVs and related items may experience fewer regulatory constraints under this specific statute.
- Scope: The carve-out targets a narrow category (offspring/highway vehicles for kids) without broadly altering other juvenile products.
Context and Key Terms (from the bill text)
- juvenile product
- off-highway vehicle made for children
- replacement part for such a vehicle
- protective clothing and equipment made to be worn or used when operating such a vehicle
- Amaras Law
- Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 116.943 subdivision 1
Relevant Terms - juvenile product - off-highway vehicle made for children - replacement part - protective clothing and equipment - Amarsa Law (Amara’s Law) - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 116.943 subdivision 1
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 30, 2025 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| January 30, 2025 | Senate | Action | Referred to | Environment, Climate, and Legacy | |
| Senate | Action | See |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Excludes offhighway vehicles made for children from the juvenile product definition.",
"Adds and clarifies a broad set of defined terms used in the section (adult mattress, air care product, automotive maintenance product, fabric treatment, PFAS terms, product, product component, textile, textile furnishings, upholstered furniture, etc.)."
],
"removed": [
"Removal of the former inclusive definition of juvenile products to now exclude certain vehicle types (offhighway vehicles for children)."
],
"summary": "This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 116.943, subdivision 1, to redefine terms used in the Juvenile Product section and to exclude offhighway vehicles made for children from the juvenile product definition. The amendment introduces numerous defined terms (e.g., adult mattress, PFAS terms, product, textile, etc.) to clarify the scope of the statute.",
"modified": [
"Redefines 'juvenile product' and related terms to narrow or reshape applicability of the statute.",
"Incorporates cross-references and clarifications for materials and products within the definitions (e.g., PFAS terminology, handling of consumer products)."
]
},
"citation": "116.943",
"subdivision": "1"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee