HF 1419

1st Division Engrossment - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/18/2022 11:10am

A bill for an act
relating to health; creating a public awareness campaign on the health dangers of
using skin-lightening products containing mercury and hydroquinone; appropriating
money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 145.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [145.9275] SKIN-LIGHTENING PRODUCTS PUBLIC AWARENESS
AND EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Grant program. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of health shall award grants through
a request for proposal process to community-based organizations that serve ethnic
communities and focus on public health outreach to Black and people of color communities
on the issues of colorism, skin-lightening products, and chemical exposures from these
products. Priority in awarding grants shall be given to organizations that have historically
provided services to ethnic communities on the skin-lightening and chemical exposure issue
for the past four years.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Uses of grant funds. new text end

new text begin Grant recipients must use grant funds awarded under this
section to conduct public awareness and education activities that are culturally specific and
community-based and that focus on:
new text end

new text begin (1) increasing public awareness and providing education on the health dangers associated
with using skin-lightening creams and products that contain mercury and hydroquinone and
are manufactured in other countries, brought into this country, and sold illegally online or
in stores; the dangers of exposure to mercury through dermal absorption, inhalation,
hand-to-mouth contact, and contact with individuals who have used these skin-lightening
products; the health effects of mercury poisoning, including the permanent effects on the
central nervous system and kidneys; and the dangers to mothers and infants of using these
products or being exposed to these products during pregnancy and while breastfeeding;
new text end

new text begin (2) identifying products that contain mercury and hydroquinone by testing skin-lightening
products;
new text end

new text begin (3) developing a train the trainer curriculum to increase community knowledge and
influence behavior changes by training community leaders, cultural brokers, community
health workers, and educators;
new text end

new text begin (4) continuing to build the self-esteem and overall wellness of young people who are
using skin-lightening products or are at risk of starting the practice of skin lightening; and
new text end

new text begin (5) building the capacity of community-based organizations to continue to combat
skin-lightening practices and chemical exposure.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; SKIN-LIGHTENING PRODUCTS PUBLIC
AWARENESS AND EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of
health for the skin-lightening products public awareness and education grant program under
Minnesota Statutes, section 145.9275.
new text end