Rep. Kim Hicks

Maddy summaryHF 2764 requires Minnesota public schools (including charter schools participating in the National School Lunch Program) to offer at least one plant-based meal option daily starting with the 2026-2027 school year. A "plant-based meal" is defined as one without any animal products (meat, dairy, eggs, fish), and schools must provide this option within four weeks of a student's written request. Schools must also make the request process clear to students and parents, comply with federal nutrition standards, and report annually on implementation to the Department of Education. The bill applies to all public schools serving lunches through the National School Lunch Program.

Maddy summaryHF 1995 modifies Minnesota's substance use disorder treatment system by changing how courts handle assessment fees and improving accreditation pathways. It specifies that courts cannot require payment for substance use assessments if they qualify for reimbursement under state health programs (like chapters 254B or 256B), directly affecting people convicted of certain offenses. The bill also updates accreditation standards, allowing treatment providers to use recognized accreditations (e.g., The Joint Commission) if their standards align with state licensing requirements. Additionally, it requires the Human Services Commissioner to develop recommendations for transition support services - such as housing, food, and childcare - based on input from diverse stakeholders including people in recovery and community providers. These changes aim to streamline access to care and support continuity after treatment.

Maddy summaryHF 3154 appropriates $200,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $200,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to provide grants to the Rural Policy and Development Center. The funds are allocated through the commissioner of agriculture under Minnesota Statutes section 116J.421. This bill directly affects the Rural Policy and Development Center by providing dedicated funding for its operations and grant programs in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 847 appropriates $2.7 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund to provide community action grants under Minnesota Statutes sections 142F.30 to 142F.302. The funding directly supports community action agencies that serve low-income residents with services like housing assistance, job training, and nutrition programs. This bill allocates specific state funds to maintain ongoing grant programs without changing existing eligibility rules or creating new requirements. The appropriation is a routine funding measure for established community-based services.

Maddy summaryHF 1002 appropriates $15 million for the Head Start program in fiscal year 2026 and $15 million for fiscal year 2027 from the state general fund. This funding directly supports Minnesota's Head Start program, which provides early childhood education and family services to low-income preschool children. The bill directs these funds to the commissioner of children, youth, and families for implementation under Minnesota Statutes section 142D.12. The legislation makes no changes to program eligibility or structure, solely providing dedicated state funding for existing Head Start services.

Maddy summaryHF 667 clarifies when Minnesota's medical assistance program must cover prescription drug costs for individuals with commercial insurance. It requires coverage of copays/coinsurance for drugs approved by a commercial insurer, even if the quantity exceeds a 34-day supply or the drug isn't on the insurer's preferred list, without needing prior approval from the commissioner. This applies specifically when the commercial insurance coverage is deemed "cost-effective" by the commissioner. The bill removes administrative barriers for providers and beneficiaries in these scenarios, streamlining access to covered medications.

Maddy summaryHF 1984 creates a new grant program to support Minnesotans affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). It appropriates $1 million for fiscal year 2026 and $1 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the commissioner of health. The commissioner must award grants to a statewide organization focused solely on FASD prevention and intervention. The grantee must develop programming providing resource navigation, individualized support, education, and social connection opportunities for people with FASD and their families/caregivers. This bill directly affects Minnesotans living with FASD and their support networks through new state-funded services.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies reimbursement rates for community support services, increasing them to 107.5% (effective now) and 112.5% (effective January 1, 2026) for providers serving clients needing 10+ hours daily. It requires providers to use all additional revenue solely for staff wages and related costs (like payroll taxes), not for benefits like health insurance. The bill also creates the Minnesota Caregiver Defined Contribution Retirement Fund Trust, a joint state-union retirement savings plan for union-represented direct support workers. These changes directly affect community support service providers, their employees, and Minnesota’s human services budget.

Maddy summaryHF 1614 amends Minnesota's definition of a "child in need of protection or services" (specifically Minnesota Statutes §260C.007, subd. 6(4)) to clarify when a child is considered without necessary special care due to a physical, mental, or emotional condition. The bill explicitly states that a parent, guardian, or custodian cannot be deemed unable or unwilling to provide such care if a child remains in an emergency department or hospital because residential treatment is unavailable or safe discharge to the family isn't possible due to service gaps. This change directly affects children with special healthcare needs who are stuck in hospital settings due to lack of community-based support services. The provision aims to prevent unnecessary child welfare involvement when the barrier is systemic unavailability of care, not parental neglect.

Maddy summaryHF 2242 requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Human Services to select a single state pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) through a competitive bidding process. This PBM will handle all prescription drug claims for Minnesota's Medicaid (medical assistance) and MinnesotaCare programs, replacing the current system where multiple PBMs might be used. The bill mandates a master contract with this single PBM, specifies rules for drug coverage and reimbursement, and requires the commissioner to report on the program's operation. It also includes strict transparency requirements during procurement, such as disclosing potential conflicts of interest and financial ties between the PBM and pharmacies or drug manufacturers.