1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to health; creating a public awareness campaign on the health dangers of 
1.3 	using skin-lightening products containing mercury and hydroquinone; appropriating 
1.4 	money;proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 145.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. [145.9275] SKIN-LIGHTENING PRODUCTS PUBLIC AWARENESS 
1.7 	AND EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM.
1.8 		Subdivision 1.Grant program. The commissioner of health shall award grants through 
1.9 	a request for proposal process to community-based organizations that serve ethnic 
1.10 	communities and focus on public health outreach to Black and people of color communities 
1.11 	on the issues of colorism, skin-lightening products, and chemical exposures from these 
1.12 	products. Priority in awarding grants shall be given to organizations that have historically 
1.13 	provided services to ethnic communities on the skin-lightening and chemical exposure issue 
1.14 	for the past four years.
1.15 		Subd. 2.Uses of grant funds. Grant recipients must use grant funds awarded under this 
1.16 	section to conduct public awareness and education activities that are culturally specific and 
1.17 	community-based and that focus on:
1.18 	(1) increasing public awareness and providing education on the health dangers associated 
1.19 	with using skin-lightening creams and products that contain mercury and hydroquinone and 
1.20 	are manufactured in other countries, brought into this country, and sold illegally online or 
1.21 	in stores; the dangers of exposure to mercury through dermal absorption, inhalation, 
1.22 	hand-to-mouth contact, and contact with individuals who have used these skin-lightening 
1.23 	products; the health effects of mercury poisoning, including the permanent effects on the 
2.1 	central nervous system and kidneys; and the dangers to mothers and infants of using these 
2.2 	products or being exposed to these products during pregnancy and while breastfeeding;
2.3 	(2) identifying products that contain mercury and hydroquinone by testing skin-lightening 
2.4 	products;
2.5 	(3) developing a train the trainer curriculum to increase community knowledge and 
2.6 	influence behavior changes by training community leaders, cultural brokers, community 
2.7 	health workers, and educators;
2.8 	(4) continuing to build the self-esteem and overall wellness of young people who are 
2.9 	using skin-lightening products or are at risk of starting the practice of skin lightening; and
2.10 	(5) building the capacity of community-based organizations to continue to combat 
2.11 	skin-lightening practices and chemical exposure.

2.12 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION; SKIN-LIGHTENING PRODUCTS PUBLIC 
2.13 	AWARENESS AND EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM.
 2.14 	$....... in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of 
2.15 	health for the skin-lightening products public awareness and education grant program under 
2.16 	Minnesota Statutes, section 145.9275.