The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, specifically section 144.98, to modify the provisions related to the accreditation of environmental laboratories. It removes the previous effective date of January 1, 2012, from subdivisions 8 and 9, which pertained to exemptions from national standards for quality control, personnel requirements, and proficiency testing frequency. Under the new provisions, laboratories with a permit can request exemptions from certain personnel and quality control requirements if they comply with specific methodologies and provide the necessary personnel information. Additionally, laboratories must obtain acceptable proficiency test results for their accredited fields of testing and follow specific procedures if they fail proficiency tests.

The bill also outlines the consequences for laboratories that do not meet proficiency testing requirements, including revocation of accreditation for affected fields if they fail two consecutive proficiency samples. Furthermore, the commissioner has the authority to require additional proficiency testing samples if there are concerns about a laboratory's compliance with accreditation standards. The bill aims to streamline the accreditation process while ensuring that environmental laboratories maintain high standards of quality and proficiency in their testing practices.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 144.98