HF2803

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this proposed legislation is to enhance consumer protection by ensuring that specific energy-generating facilities and products are free from child labor in their manufacturing processes. The bill aims to certify that solar and wind energy systems, as well as electric vehicle batteries, are not produced using child labor.

Main Provisions

1. Certification Requirement for Energy Facilities:

   • The bill mandates that any applicant seeking a permit for constructing and operating solar energy systems or wind energy conversion systems must demonstrate compliance with child labor laws. Specifically, applicants must certify that no child labor was used in the creation of the equipment used in these energy-generating systems.
   • This requirement extends to both state and local reviews of such energy systems.

2. Certification Requirement for Products:

   • It is declared unlawful to sell certain products in Minnesota without certification confirming they were made without child labor. This includes electric vehicle batteries, solar photovoltaic devices, and wind energy conversion systems.
   • Manufacturers must ensure and certify that these products are child labor-free before they can be legally sold within the state.

3. Penalties for Violations:

   • Any individual or business found violating the prohibition against using child labor in manufacturing these products would be subject to penalties outlined in existing Minnesota law, specifically section 325D.56.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This bill proposes the introduction of new certification requirements into Minnesota’s statutes, creating a legal obligation for compliance with international standards regarding child labor, specifically as defined by the International Labor Organization’s Minimum Age Convention No. 138.
• It introduces a new trade practice law making it unlawful to sell certain energy-related products in Minnesota without proper child labor-free certification, adding a legal mechanism to enforce this through penalties for non-compliance.

Relevant Terms

child labor, consumer protection, solar energy, wind energy, electric vehicle battery, certification, illegal trade practice, manufacturing compliance, International Labor Organization, product certification.