CT & RI Get Funds From Mattel Lead Settlement

The Courant reports that "Toy maker Mattel Inc. will pay Connecticut and 38 other states $12 million in a settlement aimed at getting toys contaminated with lead out of the marketplace. The company also agreed to quickly adopt new federal standards that cut the amount of lead allowed in toys, and to help remove lead-tainted toys from stores." Connecticut's share will be $218,028 of the settlement, which grew out of various state investigations begun in 2007 of lead-tainted toys imported from China for Mattel and its subsidiary Fisher Price. Attorney General Blumenthal said at least half of that money will go to the state's general fund. The rest may go to the Department of Consumer Protection for enforcement and education.

Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch told the Providence Journal that Rhode Island’s share of the settlement will be $198,636, which will be allocated to the state’s general fund.