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HF2464 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Health policy bill.

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of the bill is to modify the accreditation process related to environmental laboratories in Minnesota. It specifically addresses the requirements for quality control, personnel standards, and proficiency testing for laboratories that analyze environmental samples, such as water and wastewater.

Main Provisions

  1. Exemptions from National Standards:

    • The bill allows certain laboratories to request exemptions from specific national standards related to personnel and quality control for microbiology and chemistry.
    • These laboratories can adhere to methodologies and quality control standards from the “Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater” published by the Water Environment Federation instead.

  2. Accreditation and Proficiency Testing:

    • Laboratories seeking exemptions must still demonstrate proficiency by obtaining acceptable results from scheduled proficiency tests.
    • Proficiency samples must be analyzed from one of two annual testing studies. If a laboratory fails the first study, it must conduct further testing by obtaining and analyzing supplemental test samples within 15 days.
    • Continuous failure in proficiency testing may lead to the revocation of a laboratory’s accreditation.

  3. Commissioner’s Authority:

    • The commissioner has the authority to mandate additional proficiency tests if a laboratory’s analysis does not meet accreditation requirements.
    • Additional costs incurred by administering these provisions can be collected from the accredited laboratories.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • This bill amends existing statutes by allowing more flexibility for laboratories in terms of compliance with national standards, provided they meet specified alternative criteria.
  • It also adds specific timelines and consequences related to proficiency testing results which didn't appear to be as explicitly mandated before.

Relevant Terms

  • Accreditation
  • Environmental Laboratories
  • Quality Control
  • Proficiency Testing
  • National Standards
  • Microbiology
  • Chemistry
  • Water and Wastewater Examination

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 16, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toHealth Finance and Policy
April 09, 2025HouseFloorActionCommittee report, to adopt as amended
April 09, 2025HouseFloorActionSecond reading

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill modifies provisions related to exemptions from national standards for quality control and personnel requirements for laboratories under section 144.98.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies exemption criteria and requirements for laboratories analyzing samples for compliance with permits under section 115.03 subdivision 5."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "144.98",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 8"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This section modifies proficiency testing frequency exemptions for laboratories under section 144.98.",
      "modified": [
        "Details additional conditions for laboratories upon failure to complete scheduled proficiency studies successfully.",
        "Outlines consequences of not submitting results or continuously failing proficiency samples."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "144.98",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 9"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This section pertains to compliance regarding permits issued under section 115.03.",
      "modified": [
        "Referenced in relation to exemption criteria for laboratory accreditation."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "115.03",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 5"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This statute is referenced concerning personnel requirement exemptions in environmental laboratories.",
      "modified": [
        "Referenced for personnel requirements linked to accreditation criteria."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "115.73",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

Sponsors