Senators Want to Protect Kids’ Rights to Run Lemonade Stands

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Two state senators want to protect the right of Minnesota kids to operate lemonade or hot dog stands without fear of the police.

Republicans Roger Chamberlain and Linda Runbeck have authored a bill to allow kids 14 and under to operate temporary stands without permits. It passed a Senate committee last week and awaits floor action.

On one of the coldest days in a generation, the senators were joined at a news conference Thursday by a dozen young entrepreneurs who want the right to run stands this summer.

The senators cite the case last year of a Minneapolis 13-year-old who nearly had his hot dog stand shut down. Instead, the city Health Department paid for a permit so Jaequan Faulkner could stay in business. They also cite similar incidents in five other states.