Rep. Bobbie Harder

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Departments of Human Services and Children, Youth, and Families to submit annual reports to the legislature on program integrity. Starting November 30, 2026, the departments must provide detailed information about their oversight activities, including data on investigations, licensing, and fraud prevention. The reports will include specific metrics such as the number of maltreatment reports, licensing complaints, fraud investigations, and background study results over the past five years. These reports will be sent to the chairs and ranking minority members of the relevant legislative committees. The legislation aims to increase transparency by establishing a consistent reporting framework for how these departments monitor and enforce program compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals receiving Minnesota public assistance programs from using licensed money transmitters to send money to foreign countries. It directly affects recipients of programs such as SNAP, medical assistance, child care assistance, and housing support. The law requires money transmitters to report every six months to state agencies any individuals who send money abroad, and state officials must then check if those individuals are enrolled in public assistance programs. If a recipient is found to have sent money to a foreign country while receiving aid, they will lose eligibility for all public assistance programs they were participating in.

Maddy summaryHF 16 prohibits Minnesota cities, counties, or local governments from passing laws that block law enforcement from sharing immigration status information with federal authorities. It requires county attorneys to notify federal immigration agencies when someone without legal status is arrested for a violent crime. The bill overrides any local "noncooperation" policies that would restrict this information sharing or federal immigration enforcement. It applies to all local law enforcement and government entities in Minnesota, ensuring consistent cooperation with federal immigration enforcement on specific matters.

Maddy summaryHF 13 would amend Minnesota Statutes section 609.06 to eliminate the requirement that individuals must attempt to retreat before using reasonable force in self-defense or defense of others. The bill specifically removes the "duty to retreat" provision, allowing people to use force without first trying to avoid confrontation if they reasonably believe it is necessary. This change would directly affect Minnesotans using force to defend themselves or others in situations where they perceive an immediate threat. The bill was introduced but not passed, as it was laid on the table during the 2025 legislative session.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires providers, vendors, and individuals applying for public funds to submit proof of recent operational history and financial records as part of their eligibility process. Applicants must demonstrate they have performed similar services over the past three years, provide audited financial statements or nonprofit tax forms from that period, and show good standing with the secretary of state if they are business or nonprofit entities. The law adds new requirements to Minnesota statutes governing financial screening for programs administered by state commissioners. These measures aim to establish clearer standards for verifying the legitimacy and financial stability of entities seeking government money.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state agencies to disclose information about investigations into potential overpayments of public funds within 30 days of a request, provided the agency has already taken action to reduce, suspend, or withhold payments. It affects the Department of Human Services and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families by mandating transparency about ongoing investigations into service providers and recipients. The law also expands access to investigative data for the ombudsman for mental health and developmental disabilities, allowing them to request both active and inactive case information including reporter names. Additionally, the bill clarifies when certain investigative data becomes public by classifying it as such once submitted to a court or administrative law judge.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Minnesota's crime of disseminating personal information to protect all individuals, not just law enforcement officers, and creates a new civil lawsuit option for victims of such disclosures. It allows people to sue those who knowingly share their private information online or publicly when it creates an immediate danger to their safety, permitting courts to award damages for emotional distress, civil penalties up to $10,000, and legal fees. The law includes exceptions for lawful criminal investigations, public interest reporting, and other legal proceedings, and it would take effect on August 1, 2026, allowing affected individuals to file claims in Minnesota courts.

Maddy summaryHF 3573 requires individuals to have valid work authorization to qualify for benefits under Minnesota's Paid Leave Law. It amends the law to explicitly exclude people without proper work permits from receiving paid leave benefits. The bill affects workers applying for benefits who lack authorized work status, adding this as a new eligibility requirement. Key changes include updating definitions of "covered individual" and "employee" to exclude those without valid work authorization, and adding work authorization as a mandatory requirement for benefit accounts.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime called disruption of worship services in Minnesota, targeting individuals who enter religious buildings with the intent to disrupt scheduled services by committing a crime. The law defines a religious establishment as a building used for worship that is clearly marked with a sign or other identifier. First-time offenders face gross misdemeanor charges, while repeat offenders could be charged with a felony punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine of $10,000 or both. The provisions take effect on August 1, 2026, and apply only to crimes committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires publicly funded state and local correctional facilities in Minnesota to check the immigration status of certain noncitizens and notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement when they are housed there. The law applies to individuals in pretrial confinement, those convicted of felonies, and people committed to mental health institutions, mandating that facility officers immediately report nationality, conviction details, commitment duration, citizenship country, and last entry information to federal immigration authorities. Additionally, the bill requires a one-time review of all felony inmates in public facilities by July 1, 2026, to identify any noncitizens and report their status to federal officials. This policy change directly affects correctional facilities, sheriffs, and county officials who manage public institutions, while requiring them to share specific inmate information with U.S. immigration officers.