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HF1850 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Fluoridation of municipal water supplies provisions modified.

Related bill: SF2699

AI Generated Summary

This bill proposes amendments to Minnesota Statutes 2024, Section 144.145, which governs the fluoridation of municipal water supplies. The key changes include:

  1. Local Control Over Fluoridation

    • Municipalities, private entities, or corporations that oversee public water supplies will have the authority to decide whether to fluoridate their water, rather than being mandated to do so.
    • If a municipality opts to fluoridate, it must maintain fluoride levels within the parameters set by the Minnesota Commissioner of Health.

  2. Prohibition on Fluoridation When Natural Levels Are Sufficient

    • Water already containing naturally occurring fluoride within the state’s prescribed limits cannot be further fluoridated.

  3. Commissioner of Health's Role Limited

    • The Commissioner of Health will set rules for those systems that choose to fluoridate, including fluoride content levels, control measures, testing methods, and record-keeping.
    • However, the Commissioner is prohibited from requiring fluoridation of any public water supply.

  4. Repeal of Mandatory Fluoridation Requirement

    • The existing mandate that all municipal water supplies must be fluoridated is eliminated.

Overall Effect:
This bill shifts fluoridation decisions from the state to local authorities, making fluoridation optional rather than mandatory and preventing additional fluoridation where fluoride occurs naturally.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 02, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toHealth Finance and Policy
March 02, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toHealth Finance and Policy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarifies the conditions under which water supplies may choose to fluoridate."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Requirement for mandatory fluoridation of all public water supplies."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill modifies provisions governing the fluoridation of public water supplies under section 144.145.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifies that water with naturally occurring fluoride is exempt from additional fluoridation."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "144.145",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

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