Businesses ‘locked’ out of key to success unless Minnesota lawmakers act
By Corin Hoggard
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – The keys in your pocket are already illegal to replace in Minnesota.
The state isn’t really enforcing a new law yet, but it will start as of July, and a lot of small businesses are hoping to unlock a change before lawmakers go home.
A 2023 law banned the sale of lead in products like jewelry, toys and cosmetics.
The ban included keys, but the people who make keys say there’s no way to do it without a little lead.
“Approximately 75% of all products that we stock have become prohibited for sale,” said Rob Justen of Doyle Security Products.
Lead is the key to staying in business for Justen’s business.
But a Minnesota law could lock them out soon.
“It really does make it illegal to sell or replace the very keys that Minnesotans use every day, your house keys, your car keys, your apartment key, your boat key,” said Bruce Nustad of the Minnesota Retailers Association.
