A new law to go into effect February 10th, makes it illegal to selll any child's product with lead in it. Those who do can face a fine up to $100,000. This caused lots of concern for private sellers, consignment and thrift stores that can't afford to test everything for lead.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission will be enforcing this law, but they have come out with a statement to clarify their position. In a release, the CPSC writes, "Sellers of USED children's products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits." The release does go on to say however, that "resellers cannot sell children's products that exceed the lead limit and therefore should avoid products that are likely to have lead content... those sellers that DO sell products in violation of the new limits could face civil and/or criminal penalties." That means that stores and private sellers won't be required to test their products, but that they will still be held responsible if they do sell products with illegal levels of lead.

It's statements like the former that concern Jodie Hartfield. She has four children under the age of 7 and takes advantage of selling and buying used clothes and toys. She knows that she can't afford to test everything before she sells it and she's concerned that she may get hit with a fine. She also knows small business owners that make high quality toys and products for children. Those owners wouldn't be able to afford to test their products.

Jodie is hoping for a change, or more clarification on what this law really means for people like her.