Minnesota Bills

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 25, 2026

HF 4566: Suspension of medical assistance payments during investigation of kickback fraud permitted, and rulemaking required to include kickbacks in the definition of fraud.

This bill allows Minnesota's Department of Human Services to temporarily stop medical assistance payments to providers while investigating allegations of kickback fraud, without requiring prior notice or a hearing. It expands the state's definition of fraud to explicitly include illegal kickbacks and requires the department to update its rules to reflect this change. The legislation also mandates that providers receive written notice within five days of any payment suspension, explaining the general reasons while protecting ongoing investigation details, and outlines procedures for appealing the decision. Additionally, the bill authorizes the department to impose fines for incomplete documentation and requires forfeited payments to go to the state or managed care organizations when fraud is proven.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 25, 2026

HF 4415: Strategies in the comprehensive drug overdose and morbidity program administered by the commissioner of health modified.

This bill updates Minnesota's drug overdose prevention program to include eight specific strategies for addressing substance use across different populations. It requires the state health commissioner to expand services for people experiencing homelessness, improve workplace support for recovery, enhance surveillance systems, and create targeted programs for pregnant individuals and their children. The legislation also establishes a new Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative to encourage employers to adopt policies that support employees struggling with substance use disorders.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 25, 2026

HF 4584: Cardiovascular prescreenings for students required.

This bill requires licensed health care professionals to perform cardiovascular prescreenings for student athletes and all students beginning in the 2028-2029 school year. The screenings must follow evidence-based guidelines and check for heart conditions such as abnormal blood pressure, known cardiac issues, and signs of structural heart disease, with positive results leading to cardiologist referrals. The Department of Health will publish annual reports on screening numbers and outcomes, while the Department of Education and Health will distribute educational materials to families about sudden cardiac arrest risks. Additionally, the bill mandates professional training for health care providers on conducting these screenings and establishing rules to implement the program.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 25, 2026

HF 3886: Contracts to provide detention facilities for federal immigration purposes prohibited.

This bill prohibits Minnesota local governments from entering into contracts with the federal government to provide detention facilities for people held in custody for civil immigration violations. The law applies to counties, cities, and joint powers entities, making any such agreements void regardless of when they were signed. By banning these contracts, the legislation prevents local jurisdictions from being used to house individuals detained under federal immigration law. The bill takes effect immediately upon final enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 25, 2026

HF 3978: Protections provided to participants in and employees and operators of a health care provider wellness program.

This bill updates Minnesota law to protect doctors and other licensed health care providers who join wellness programs designed to help manage work-related stress and career fatigue. It defines these programs as initiatives run by statewide nonprofit associations that offer evaluation, counseling, or other support services to health care professionals. The law ensures that a provider's participation in such programs remains confidential and cannot be shared with licensing boards or health officials without the provider's written permission, except in cases where mandatory reporting laws require disclosure. Additionally, the bill grants immunity from civil lawsuits to organizations running these wellness programs when they act in good faith. These changes apply specifically to licensed health care providers and the nonprofit associations that administer wellness initiatives for them.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 25, 2026

HF 4161: Northern; base year formula aid provided.

This bill provides a specific calculation adjustment for base year formula aid to the city of Northern in Minnesota. It sets the 2026 aid amount used for 2027 funding calculations at $116.91 multiplied by the city's 2024 population. The measure directly affects the city of Northern by determining how much state aid it will receive in 2027. This is a procedural financial adjustment that does not change the overall state aid formula but establishes a fixed value for one municipality's calculation.

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 25, 2026

HF 4568: Life-sustaining treatment for unemancipated minor patients provided.

This bill, known as Simon's Law, establishes procedures for providing life-sustaining treatment to unemancipated minors in Minnesota hospitals and health care facilities. It requires health care providers to notify at least one parent or legal guardian before instituting orders not to resuscitate or to withhold life-sustaining treatment, nutrition, or hydration, with a 48-hour waiting period after notification unless the situation is urgent. The law also outlines a transfer process allowing parents to request moving their child to another facility while ensuring continued life-sustaining care for up to 15 days during the decision-making period. These provisions aim to balance medical decision-making with parental involvement in critical care situations for minors.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 25, 2026

HF 4130: Office of Inspector General created, advisory committee created, conforming and technical changes made, interagency agreements provided, reports required, and money appropriated.

This bill creates a new Office of the Inspector General in Minnesota's executive branch to oversee state agencies and ensure accountability, transparency, and integrity in government operations. The office will be led by an independent inspector general who reports directly to the governor and cannot be directed by other state authorities. Key provisions establish strict qualifications for the inspector general, including a bachelor's degree, ten years of professional experience in auditing or investigations, and certification from the Association of Inspectors General, while also creating an advisory commission to recommend candidates for the position. The bill defines terms like fraud and misuse to guide investigations and requires the office to conduct reviews to detect or prevent improper use of public resources. The legislation also includes funding provisions and sets the office's start date for January 1, 2027.

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SF 4167: Certain state officials security and protective services provision and appropriation

This bill authorizes the Minnesota State Patrol to provide security and protective services to the governor, governor-elect, supreme court justices, legislators, and other constitutional officers when credible threats to their safety are identified. It requires the commissioner of public safety to consult with the governor before deploying State Patrol members for protection duties and allows for overtime compensation for those providing security services. The legislation also creates a new Capitol Complex Security Division within the Department of Public Safety, placing it under the supervision of a director who must be a State Patrol member. Additionally, the bill mandates that the State Patrol provide security to state buildings and property as needed after consultation with the governor.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Minnesota · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SR 69: A Senate resolution amending the Temporary Rules of the Senate

Adopted

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SF 4257: Victim of domestic violence authorization to petition a court for an order releasing the victim from a shared wireless plan provision

This bill allows victims of domestic violence in Minnesota to ask a court for a specific order that removes them from a shared wireless phone plan with their abuser. The legislation amends existing state laws to add this relief option to the list of protections available in domestic violence restraining orders. By including this provision, the bill aims to help victims reduce contact with their abusers and improve their safety without needing to terminate the entire phone service. The court would issue this order upon request and after a hearing, making it part of the broader set of protections already available to domestic violence victims.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 25, 2026

HF 4672: In-state residency and work requirement for recipients of North Star Promise scholarships imposed, and scholarships limited to students enrolled in programs of study that lead to employment in high-demand industries and occupations.

This bill modifies Minnesota's North Star Promise scholarship program by adding new eligibility requirements and obligations for recipients. It limits scholarships to students pursuing degrees in high-demand Minnesota industries and occupations, which will be reviewed every three years based on employment data. The bill also requires scholarship recipients to live and work in Minnesota for five years after graduation, with provisions for loan conversion if they fail to meet this requirement, along with options for waivers and deferments under specific circumstances.

Topics ✗ Education

Bill results