A slew of new Minnesota laws are now in effect

Matthew Stolle, Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn.
·3 min read

Jul. 1—ST. PAUL — If you are a cosmetologist, smoke marijuana, plan to go to college, were adopted, buy stuff on Amazon, are a child care provider or pharmacist, take heed: A new batch of Minnesota laws that take effect on July 1, 2024, could affect your life.

Here are some of the more high-profile changes coming your way.

There are more protections and penalties against those seeking to influence an election through deep fakes. A deep fake is a video of a person in which their face or body has been digitally altered so they appear to be someone else. Often it is done maliciously or to spread false information. Existing protections have been expanded to require forfeiture of office or nomination of candidates who are found guilty of violations.

The state's scholarship program, aimed at making higher education more affordable and accessible to eligible Minnesota residents, takes effect. The "last-dollar" program covers the balance of tuition and fees remaining after other scholarships, grants, stipends and tuition waivers have been applied. Estimates are that the program will impact 15,000 to 20,000 students in the first academic year. Eligible students must have a household income under $80,000.

School boards will no longer have to hold a special election if a vacancy occurs two years before the expiration of a term. Instead, a school board may now fill the vacancy by appointment. Special elections must be held if a board member is removed for cause.

Minnesotans who order $100 or more of clothing, toys, household supplies, and other goods delivered to their door will pay a 50-cent fee now. Part of a broader transportation funding law in 2023, the fee is expected to raise about $64 million annually for roads and transit. The new tax, called by some the "Amazon fee," doesn't apply to food nor to medicine, baby products, nor curbside pickup orders.

To obtain cosmetology license, hair stylists will now be required to have beauty training, education and testing in all hair types and textures. Minnesota became only the third state in the nation to require such training. Advocates say the new law incorporates a more inclusive concept of beauty and ensures that stylists have the skills and knowledge to provide proper hair services for all.

Minnesota adoptees will have access to birth records under new legislation that classifies the original birth record of an adopted person as private data rather than confidential.

A school district or charter school must revise its lead testing plan to include new policies aimed at ensuring consistent water quality. Licensed or certified child care providers also must develop a plan to test for the presence of lead in drinking water in childcare facilities.

COVID-19 emergency policies that authorized pharmacists to administer vaccines and expanded access to immunizations across the state are now codified into law. Medical Assistance will also cover vaccines initiated, ordered, or administrated by a licensed pharmacist at the same rate as other providers.

The Office of Cannabis Management is now permitted to hold a vetted lottery to issue pre-approved licenses to social equity applicants ahead of the general pool of candidates. Social equity applicants include individuals convicted of marijuana offenses, residents of high-poverty areas, military veterans or current or former members of the National Guard who lost honorable status due to such offenses. The pre-approved licenses will allow applicants to start growing marijuana so that supply is ready to meet demand when retail sales are allowed in 2025.