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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Legislation Designed with MI “Santa’s Elves” in Mind

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Thursday, December 20, 2007   

Lansing, MI – Toy shopping may soon be easier for Santa's elves in Michigan. Congress is fast-tracking legislation that sets new toy safety standards. Christopher Spina with the children's group First Focus says toy companies will face more testing requirements in order to identify problems before the toys end up on store shelves, or under the Christmas tree.

"It actually requires third-party testing on children's products, which means that there'll be pre-market independent testing for lead and other hazards."

Spina says even most toy companies agree that the legislation is needed.

"The toy industry has been damaged by this, as well, and I think that they're welcoming these reforms with open arms. They're very receptive to the changes because it's about the safety of our children."

More than 25 million toys have been recalled this year for safety issues, with lead contamination being the most common. The new legislation would make lead safety standards in the U.S. the toughest in the world. The bill also provides money to fully staff the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and allows consumers to directly file civil lawsuits when a toy causes harm. The bill could be on the President's desk by this weekend.


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